1776 New Jersey gubernatorial election

The 1776 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on August 31, 1776, in order to elect the first Governor of New Jersey. Candidate and former Member of the New York General Assembly William Livingston was elected by the New Jersey General Assembly against his opponent candidate Richard Stockton.[1]

1776 New Jersey gubernatorial election

31 August 1776 1777 →
 
Nominee William Livingston Richard Stockton
Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan
Popular vote 19 18
Percentage 51.35% 48.65%

Governor before election

William Franklin (as Royal Governor)
Nonpartisan

Elected Governor

William Livingston
Nonpartisan

General election

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On election day, August 31, 1776, candidates William Livingston and Richard Stockton each received the same number of votes on the first ballot. On the second ballot, Livingston was elected by the New Jersey General Assembly by a margin of one vote.[2] Livingston was sworn in as the first Governor of New Jersey that same day.[3]

Results

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New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1776
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan William Livingston 19 51.35%
Nonpartisan Richard Stockton 18 48.65%
Total votes 37 100.00%
Nonpartisan hold

References

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  1. ^ "William Livingston". National Governors Association. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Minutes and proceedings of the Council and General Assembly of the state of New-Jersey, in joint-meeting, from August 30, 1776 to October 29, 1799". archive.org. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  3. ^ "NJ Governor". ourcampaigns.com. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2024.