1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on June 2, 1866, before Nebraska officially became a state. The Nebraska Constitution of 1866 specified that "the first election for Governor... shall be held on the second day of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six" in order to prepare for statehood.[1] This election featured Republican nominee David Butler defeating Democratic nominee J. Sterling Morton to become the first Governor of the State of Nebraska.[2]

1866 Nebraska gubernatorial election

June 2, 1866 1868 →
 
Nominee David Butler J. Sterling Morton
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 4,093 3,948
Percentage 50.8% 49.0%

County results
Butler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Morton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
     No votes

Governor before election

Alvin Saunders (Territorial)
Republican

Elected Governor

David Butler
Republican

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1866[2][3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Butler 4,093 50.77%
Democratic J. Sterling Morton 3,948 48.97%
Scattering 21
Total votes 8,062 100.0%

Aftermath

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Although this election took place on June 2, 1866, Nebraska did not officially become a state until March 1, 1867.[4] This meant that all officeholders elected under the Nebraska Constitution of 1866, including governor-elect David Butler, did not take office until after the transition period on March 27, 1867.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Nebraska Constitution of 1866, Article XI, Section 4, 1866
  2. ^ a b Addison E. Sheldon, ed. (December 1918). The Nebraska Blue Book and Historical Register. Nebraska Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 439. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Harrison Johnson (1880). History of Nebraska. Henry Gibson Herald Printing House. p. 52.
  4. ^ 14 Stat. 820
  5. ^ Morton, Julius Sterling (1913). Illustrated History of Nebraska: A History of Nebraska from the Earliest Explorations of the Trans-Mississippi Region, with Steel Engravings, Photogravures, Copper Plates, Maps, and Tables. J. North. p. 1.