Distribution of electoral college votes in the 1812 US presidential election

The seventh presidential election of the United States of America was contested by the Democratic-Republican Party's James Madison, and DeWitt Clinton (nephew of Vice President George Clinton), who campaigned on behalf of dissident Democratic-Republicans, as well as becoming the de facto Federalist nominee. The election took place in 1812, when the country was embroiled in the War of 1812 with Britain, which took place in the larger theater of the Napoleonic Wars. Participation in the war had split the Democratic-Republic Party, as many in the north opposed the war with Britain, and also resented the southern dominance of their party and the White House (as three of the previous four presidents were from Virginia).

Incumbent President and Founding Father James Madison emerged as the victor, with 128 electoral votes, compared to Clinton's 89, carrying eleven states to seven. Although the popular vote was only used in six of 18 states, the vote was much closer than the electoral vote, with Madison receiving 50.4 percent of the votes, compared to Clinton's 47.6 percent. Clinton did receive the support of the traditionally Federalist states of New England, however Madison carried the south comfortably, and took the swing state of Pennsylvania.