Augustus Garrett Democratic Result of election voided In the Chicago mayoral election of March 1844, Democrat Augustus Garrett was reelected, defeating Whig nominee George W. Dole by a margin of only seven votes out of 1,796 votes cast.

[1][2][3] In February incumbent mayor Augustus Garrett was unanimously nominated by the Democratic Party to run for reelection.

[4] Also running was abolitionist Henry Smith,[4] making this the third consecutive Chicago mayoral election he competed in.

[2] Whigs alleged that the Democrats had bought votes, violated the secrecy of ballots in two wards (the 3rd and 5th), and altering the clocks at election places.

[2] While the committee ignored many allegations, the Common Council, nevertheless, ordered for a new election to be conducted on the grounds that clerks in wards had been unqualified to vote.