The last time a losing presidential candidate led by this much was in 1876
Hillary Clinton now leads President-elect Donald Trump by more than 1.72 million popular votes. That gives Clinton a 1.3 percentage point lead, with millions of votes still to be counted. While it's certainly not unprecedented for a candidate to win the popular vote but lose the election, The New York Times reports that a losing candidate hasn't claimed a lead this big since the 1876 presidential race between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden.
That election was "one of the most disputed presidential elections in American history," 270 to Win writes. Tilden claimed the popular vote, winning by a margin of more than 264,000 votes. But he ultimately lost the election by just one electoral vote — and that's where matters got contentious.
Before 20 disputed electoral votes were accounted for, Tilden led Hayes with 184 electoral votes to Hayes' 165. Though Tilden seemed to have won Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina, questions of voting fairness arose and a recount was ordered. Tilden needed just one of the 20 electoral votes to win the election, but Hayes ended up sweeping all the disputed electoral votes to win the White House.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
To quell Democrats' outrage, Republicans reportedly "agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South, ending Reconstruction," 270 to Win said. Hayes became the United States' 19th president in March 1877.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is academic freedom in peril?
Today's Big Question Faculty punishments are on the rise
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published