In the first U.S. presidential election, which candidate received every electoral vote cast?

George Washington received every electoral vote cast in the first U.S. presidential election.

The election took place from December 1788 through January 1789 under the newly ratified Constitution. All 69 electors who voted cast one vote for Washington, making his election unanimous. John Adams received 34 votes and became vice president under the original system, in which the runner-up took that office.

The election differed greatly from modern presidential contests. There were no formal political parties or national nomination conventions, and states used different methods to choose electors. North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet ratified the Constitution, while New York failed to appoint electors in time. Washington was inaugurated in New York City on April 30, 1789.