Who was unanimously elected in the first United States presidential election?

George Washington was unanimously elected in the first United States presidential election.

The election took place from December 15, 1788, to January 7, 1789, under the new Constitution. Washington received every electoral vote, making him the only president unanimously elected by the Electoral College. John Adams received the second-highest total and therefore became vice president under the original electoral system.

The election differed from modern presidential contests. There were no organized national political parties, and each elector cast two votes for president. The candidate with the most votes became president, while the runner-up became vice president. This arrangement was changed by the Twelfth Amendment after the election of 1800 created a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.

Washington’s victory reflected his military leadership during the Revolution and his reputation for public service. He took the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City on April 30, 1789, beginning the first presidential administration under the Constitution.