Legislation1887
Electoral Count Act Signed
President Grover Cleveland signed the Electoral Count Act, establishing procedures for counting electoral votes and resolving disputes over presidential election results. The law was prompted by the contested 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden.
Why It Matters
This act created the framework for the peaceful transfer of presidential power, a process that has been tested and reformed in subsequent generations to strengthen democratic elections.