1868 Argentine Presidential Election
Sarmiento from abroad12 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 | 60.31% |
| Justo José de Urquiza | Federalist Party | 26 | 19.85% |
| Rufino de Elizalde | Nationalist Party | 22 | 16.79% |
| Guillermo Rawson | Nationalist Party | 3 | 2.29% |
| Dalmacio Vélez Sarsfield | Nationalist Party | 1 | 0.76% |