Due to Grant choosing not to seek a third term as President , the 1876 presidential election would decide his successor . The Republicans chose Ohio Governor Rutherford B. Hayes and the Democrats chose New York Governor Samuel J. Tilden as their candidates at their respective conventions . Though Tilden clearly beat Hayes in the popular vote , the electoral vote was extremely close . After a first count of votes , Tilden won 184 electoral votes to Hayes ' 165 , with 20 votes from four states unresolved , with a candidate needing 185 in order to win . The remaining four states – Florida , Louisiana , South Carolina , and Oregon – made up the remaining 20 electoral votes
conventions
1876 Democratic National Convention
William A. Cocke