The board created by the Compromise of 1877 had what stated purpose?

• A. To Negotiate the Election Results
• B. To Appoint the President
• C. To Overturn the Election Results
• D. To Create New States

Answer: (A)

The question tests understanding of how the disputed 1876 election was resolved. After the election, several states produced conflicting tallies, leaving the outcome unclear. To settle this deadlock, Congress and the parties formed an Electoral Commission with the stated job of determining which electoral votes would count and thus who would win the presidency. In short, the board’s purpose was to settle the election results by negotiating a resolution to the contested electoral votes. This matches the historical aim of the Compromise of 1877, without extending beyond its defined remit.