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The 1896 Realignment

A Reassessment

Syracuse University

Everita Silina

Syracuse University

The election of 1896 is regarded as a critical one in which a significant and enduring shift in party electoral fortunes occurred. This evidence is so important because it supports the more general argument that critical realignments are the way that significant electoral changes occur. Change is seen as abrupt, with new alignments persisting for decades. Voters are seen as detached, briefly attentive, and then relatively stable in a new alignment. In this view, the political process is not seen as one in which there is continuous political debate, electoral attention, and secular electoral change. This analysis reexamines the evidence for the occurrence of a critical realignment in 1896, using results for presidential and House elections. The data do not indicate that an abrupt change occurred in 1896. The changes that occurred were gradual, with most occurring after 1896. The evidence suggests that secular change and gradual electoral shifts should receive much more attention.

Key Words: critical realignment • secular realignment • 1896 election • political parties

American Politics Research, Vol. 33, No. 1, 3-32 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1532673X04263824


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