To amend an amendment to S.J.RES. 78, by doing away with the electoral college and electing President by a popular vote. (p. 2361-1)

On Jan 31, 1913, the Senate voted 32–36 (SJR 78). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 12–27, Democrats 20–9. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 21 members voted against their own party.

During the 62nd Congress (1911–1912), William Howard Taft was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 32
No: 36
Did not vote: 41
Date: Jan 31, 1913

By party

Democrats20 yes · 9 no · 24 didn’t vote
Republicans12 yes · 27 no · 17 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

John Hollis Bankhead D-AL voted no
Joseph Forney Johnston D-AL voted no
James Paul Clarke D-AR voted no
Charles Spalding Thomas D-CO voted no
George Payne Mclean R-CT voted yes
Hoke Smith D-GA voted no
William Edgar Borah R-ID voted yes
Joseph Little Bristow R-KS voted yes
Thomas Hanson Paynter D-KY voted no
John Randolph Thornton D-LA voted no
Charles Elroy Townsend R-MI voted yes
Moses Edwin Clapp R-MN voted yes
Le Roy Percy D-MS voted no
Joseph Moore Dixon R-MT voted yes
Furnifold McLendel Simmons D-NC voted no
Asle Jorgenson Gronna R-ND voted yes
Jonathan Bourne Jr. R-OR voted yes
Coe Isaac Crawford R-SD voted yes
Miles Poindexter R-WA voted yes
Wesley Livsey Jones R-WA voted yes
Robert Marion La Follette R-WI voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend an amendment to S.J.RES. 78, by…: Senate Vote, Jan 31, 1913,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/62-S-330/to-amend-an-amendment-to-s-j-res-78 (accessed 2026-10-17).