1868 Argentine Presidential Election

Sarmiento from abroad

12 April 1868 · The oligarchic republic

Presiding over a prosperous economy overshadowed somewhat by the costly Paraguayan War, President Mitre was at pains to avoid risking the tenuous national unity his administration had secured. Though he hand-picked prospective candidates, Mitre avoided the appearance of direct support for any one figure, while limiting the field to those he considered acceptable.

Held in wartime. This election took place while the country was engaged in Paraguayan War (1864–1870). Conflicts →

An indirect electoral-college contest of the oligarchic republic: voting was public, participation tiny, and the outcome largely arranged by the ruling circle.

President before

Bartolomé Mitre

Nationalist

Elected President

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento

Independent

Winning share

60.3%

Turnout

—

The result

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento
Independent · 79 votes
60.31%
share
Justo José de Urquiza
Federalist Party · 26 votes
19.85%
share
Rufino de Elizalde
Nationalist Party · 22 votes
16.79%
share
Guillermo Rawson
Nationalist Party · 3 votes
2.29%
share
Dalmacio Vélez Sarsfield
Nationalist Party · 1 votes
0.76%
share