[87] While the other candidates based their candidacies on their long tenure as congressmen, ambassadors, or members of the cabinet, Jackson's appeal rested on his military service, especially in the Battle of New Orleans.[90] The congressional nominating caucus had decided upon previous Democratic-Republican presidential nominees, but it had become largely discredited by 1824. Candidates were instead nominated by state legislatures or nominating conventions, and Adams received the endorsement of the New England legislatures.[91] The regional strength of each candidate played an important role in the election; Adams was popular in New England, Clay and Jackson were strong in the West, and Jackson and Crawford competed for the South.[92]

1825 contingent presidential election vote distribution

States for Adams

States for Jackson

States for Crawford

Connecticut
Illinois
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Missouri
New Hampshire
New York
Ohio
Rhode Island
Vermont

Alabama
Indiana
Mississippi
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee

Delaware
Georgia
North Carolina
Virginia

Total: 13 (54%)

Total: 7 (29%)

Total: 4 (17%)

In the 1824 presidential election, Jackson won a plurality in the Electoral College, taking 99 of the 261 electoral votes, while Adams won 84, Crawford won 41, and Clay took 37. 