**1916 United States presidential election in Mississippi**
**Definition:**
The 1916 United States presidential election in Mississippi was part of the nationwide presidential election held on November 7, 1916. Mississippi voters chose ten electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.
—
## 1916 United States Presidential Election in Mississippi
The 1916 United States presidential election in Mississippi took place on November 7, 1916, as part of the broader national election. Mississippi voters participated by selecting ten electors to represent the state in the Electoral College, which ultimately decided the president and vice president of the United States. The election featured incumbent President Woodrow Wilson, the Democratic nominee, against Republican challenger Charles Evans Hughes.
### Political Context in Mississippi
In the early 20th century, Mississippi was a solidly Democratic state, a legacy of the post-Reconstruction era and the disenfranchisement of African American voters through Jim Crow laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, and other restrictive measures. The Democratic Party dominated state politics, and Republican candidates had little chance of winning electoral votes in Mississippi during this period.
The 1916 election occurred during Wilson’s first term, which had been marked by progressive reforms and a policy of neutrality in World War I. Wilson’s Southern background and progressive policies helped maintain strong support in Mississippi and the broader South.
### Candidates
– **Woodrow Wilson (Democratic Party)**
Wilson, the incumbent president, was a former governor of New Jersey and a political scientist. His campaign emphasized continued progressive reforms, neutrality in the ongoing European conflict, and preparation for potential involvement in World War I.
– **Charles Evans Hughes (Republican Party)**
Hughes was a former governor of New York and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court who resigned to run for president. His platform focused on preparedness for war and a more assertive foreign policy.
### Election Results in Mississippi
Mississippi voters overwhelmingly supported Woodrow Wilson. The state’s electoral votes all went to the Democratic ticket, reflecting the entrenched one-party system in the South at the time.
| Candidate | Party | Popular Vote | Percentage |
|———————|————-|————–|————|
| Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 61,844 | 92.78% |
| Charles E. Hughes | Republican | 4,741 | 7.11% |
Wilson’s margin of victory in Mississippi was substantial, with over 92% of the popular vote, while Hughes received just over 7%. This result was consistent with Mississippi’s voting patterns in presidential elections during the early 20th century.
### Voter Turnout and Demographics
Voter turnout in Mississippi was limited due to widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans and many poor white voters. The state’s electorate was predominantly white and Democratic, which contributed to the lopsided results. The political environment discouraged Republican participation, and the Democratic Party maintained control through local political machines and patronage.
### Impact and Significance
The 1916 election in Mississippi reaffirmed the state’s status as a Democratic stronghold. Wilson’s victory in Mississippi contributed to his overall electoral success, securing a second term as president. The election also underscored the political realities of the Jim Crow South, where electoral competition was minimal, and the Democratic Party’s dominance was virtually unchallenged.
Wilson’s policies during his second term, including eventual U.S. entry into World War I in 1917, would have significant national and international consequences. However, in Mississippi, the election results reflected continuity rather than change.
### Comparison to Previous and Subsequent Elections
– **1912 Election:** Wilson also won Mississippi by a large margin in 1912, benefiting from a split in the Republican vote between incumbent William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Party candidacy.
– **1920 Election:** The 1920 election saw Republican Warren G. Harding make some inroads nationally, but Mississippi remained firmly Democratic, continuing the pattern of one-party dominance.
### Electoral Process in Mississippi
Mississippi’s electoral process in 1916 was governed by state laws that effectively limited the electorate. The state used a winner-take-all system for allocating its ten electoral votes. Given the Democratic Party’s dominance, the primary election was often more competitive than the general election, as the Democratic nominee was almost guaranteed to win the state.
—
## Summary
The 1916 United States presidential election in Mississippi was characterized by overwhelming support for incumbent President Woodrow Wilson, reflecting the state’s entrenched Democratic loyalty during the Jim Crow era. Wilson won over 92% of the vote, securing all ten of Mississippi’s electoral votes. The election highlighted the political dynamics of the South in the early 20th century, marked by disenfranchisement and one-party rule.
—
**Meta Description:**
The 1916 presidential election in Mississippi saw incumbent Woodrow Wilson win decisively, reflecting the state’s strong Democratic loyalty during the Jim Crow era. Mississippi awarded all ten electoral votes to Wilson amid limited voter participation.