University of Central Florida (UCF) POS3413 The American Presidency Practice Exam

The primary consequence of the electoral deadlock in the election of 1876 was the use of two sets of popular votes from contested states. The election pitted Republican Rutherford B. Hayes against Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, with Tilden appearing to have won the majority of popular votes. However, the results from several states, including Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina, were disputed, creating confusion over the actual results.

In order to address the complexities of the situation, both parties submitted competing electoral votes from the contested states. This led to unprecedented political maneuvering and a standoff that necessitated the creation of a special electoral commission to properly count the electoral votes. This context highlights the severity and significance of the deadlock, as it not only raised questions about electoral integrity but also ultimately prompted significant political compromise and the end of Reconstruction under the Compromise of 1877.