Timelines: A Governor Tries to Steal an Election

Brian Kevin

Source

Down East

Date

11-2020

Pages

60, 62-63

Abstract

A look at Maine's gubernatorial race of 1879. Alonzo Garcelon lost the popular vote, but worked with local officials to invalidate the returns from Republican-leaning towns. (Garcelon, who switched parties several times during his career, ran in 1879 as a Democrat.) Angry Republican candidates and militiamen who supported both sides showed up in Augusta. General Joshua Chamberlain was summoned to keep the peace and is credited with preventing violence. After "the Twelve Days that Shook Maine," the state constitution was amended so that governors would be elected by a plurality vote.

Subjects

Governors -- Election -- Maine, Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence, 1828-1914, Garcelon, Alonzo, 1813-1906

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