1855 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

The 1855 gubernatorial election in Wisconsin was held on November 6, 1855. Republican Party candidate Coles Bashford was declared the winner after a court challenge, defeating Democratic incumbent William A. Barstow.

1855 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

November 6, 1855

Nominee Coles Bashford William A. Barstow Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 36,198 36,355 Percentage 49.86% 50.08%

Governor before election William A. Barstow Democratic Elected Governor Coles Bashford Republican

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Barstow was initially declared the winner of the election, having apparently received just over 50% of the vote.[1] However, Bashford and the Wisconsin Attorney General, George Baldwin Smith, filed suit in the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the case Atty. Gen. ex rel. Bashford v. Barstow.[2][3] They alleged that Barstow created fraudulent election returns in several fake precincts in Wisconsin's northern counties. The court found that Bashford had won the election, and was entitled to the governorship.[2] Before the court could formally remove him from office, Barstow resigned, leaving his Lieutenant Governor Arthur MacArthur, Sr. as acting Governor, until Bashford was sworn in four days later.[2]