Note : Constituency level data for this election (with the exception of 5th Kings) include any special votes that were cast.
Citation : Source: Patriot - November 18 1875 - July 12 1877 (Microfilm @ Robertson Library, UPEI):
27 May 1876 p.2 cols.1&2 - The Election
3 June 1876 p.2 cols.1&2 - The Contest
10 June 1876 p.2 col.4 (x2)
15 June 1876 p.2 col.3
22 June 1876 p.2 col.4 - Election Rumors
5 August 1876 p.2 cols. 1-3
10 August 1876 p.2 cols.1-7
12 August 1876 p.2 cols.1-4 - Nomination Day
17 August 1876 p.2 cols.1-4
19 August 1876 p.2 cols.1-3 - The Election
24 August 1876 p.2 col.3 - A Correction
26 August 1876 p.2 cols.1-2 & 4 - Rumors; How It Was To Be Done
31 August 1876 p.2 col.3 - Declaration Day
Source: Examiner - March 6, 1876 to November 23, 1877 (Microfilm @ Robertson Library, UPEI)
21 August 1876, p.2 col.2 - The Contest
Results
Districts
Charts
Legislature
Result
Total Electors
Valid Ballots
Valid Votes
Invalid Votes
Turnout Rate
Unavailable
Unavailable
25,943
Unavailable
Unavailable
Party
Candidates
Seats Won
% of Seats Won
% of Vote
Free Schooler
24
19
63.33%
57.62%
Denominationalist
20
11
36.67%
33.82%
Unknown
4
0
0%
8.56%
Additional information for Free Schooler
Note : Disagreements regarding public vs. sectarian schools polarized liberal and conservative candidates into two coalition groups - Free Schoolers and Denominationalists. Divisions were largely based on religion. The Free Schoolers were a political coalition consisting of Protestant Liberals and some Conservative Liberals.
"The general election of 1876 was an interesting, and contentious, event. While the Island’s political scene had been the mainstay of Liberals and Conservatives, these two traditional parties gave way to coalitions come election. The issue of public vs. sectarian schools, and the provincial government’s stance on the matter, reigned supreme, and polarized politicians and the Island into two groups based largely on religion: The Free School Coalition (Protestant Liberals, and some Conservative Liberals), and the Denominationalist Coalition (remaining Conservatives, and some Liberal Catholics). The “Free Schoolers” advocated for adherence to the Free Education Act (passed in 1855), and supported public/secular schools. The “Denominationalists”, on the other hand, desired a system of sectarian schools across the Island (ie. separate schools for Catholics and Protestants."
Additional information for Denominationalist
Note : Disagreements regarding public vs. sectarian schools polarized liberal and conservative candidates into two coalition groups - Free Schoolers and Denominationalists. Divisions were largely based on religion. The Denominationalist Coalition was a political coalition consisting largely of Conservatives and some Liberal Catholics:
"The general election of 1876 was an interesting, and contentious, event. While the Island’s political scene had been the mainstay of Liberals and Conservatives, these two traditional parties gave way to coalitions come election. The issue of public vs. sectarian schools, and the provincial government’s stance on the matter, reigned supreme, and polarized politicians and the Island into two groups based largely on religion: The Free School Coalition (Protestant Liberals, and some Conservative Liberals), and the Denominationalist Coalition (remaining Conservatives, and some Liberal Catholics). The “Free Schoolers” advocated for adherence to the Free Education Act (passed in 1855), and supported public/secular schools. The “Denominationalists”, on the other hand, desired a system of sectarian schools across the Island (ie. separate schools for Catholics and Protestants."
Note :
A last minute entry in the race for 3rd Kings, little was known about Alfred W. Owen. He had little time to campaign, and his stance regarding the School Question was not clear; however, he managed to poll a surprising amount of votes, despite finishing third to James McDonald and John Scrimgeour (Denominationalists). The support that Owen received suggests that he was likely running on the Free School ticket.
Attributes
Acclamation
No
Incomplete Data
Yes
Electorial Formula
DMP
District Magnitude
2
Notes for Alfred Owen
Candidacy :
Alfred W. Owen may have been a Free Schooler. However, this has not been verified.
Note :
Kings County 5th District also referred to as "Georgetown and Royalty"
Note :
In the district of 5th Kings (Georgetown & Royalty), Daniel Gordon and Lewis J. Westaway, of the Free School Coalition, faced off against Archibald J. MacDonald (Denominationalist). The contest was close, and by the publication of the unofficial results, MacDonald placed first overall with 144 votes, with Gordon a close second at 141, and Westaway placing third with 110; however, the polling of special votes was a key factor in Georgetown politics, and by declaration day, MacDonald was in third place behind Gordon and Westaway. Unfortunately, the updated results do not appear to have been published.
Candidacy :
There may be multiple candidates named John McDonald running in PEI. Difficult to verify. The database assumes that John A McDonald ran in both Prince and Queens Country 3rd district.
Note :
Although all four candidates in 4th Prince - W.C. Lea, John Calhoun, A.E.C. Holland, and Cornelius Howatt - claimed to be Free Schoolers, it appears that Holland and Howatt, the incumbents, might have been leaning toward the Denominationalist Coalition. Reporting of the day stated that they had become unpopular with their constituents, who favoured secular schools.
