Liberia Civic historical record
Liberia held a contested general election in May 1881 during Anthony W. Gardiner’s presidency.
Presidential election
Incumbent President Anthony W. Gardiner of the True Whig Party defeated Joseph James Cheeseman, the Republican Party nominee.
No complete certified vote total, turnout figure, vice-presidential result, or legislative return has yet been verified for this archive.
Political context
The election was the first documented challenge to Gardiner after his decisive 1877 victory and unopposed 1879 return. Cheeseman later joined the True Whig Party and became president after winning the 1891 election.
Succession before the next election
Gardiner did not complete the full term. He resigned on 20 January 1883 amid political pressure connected to the northwestern boundary dispute. Vice President Alfred Francis Russell succeeded him and completed the term until January 1884.
Evidence status
Classification: Partial historical results. The month, year, principal candidates, party alignments, winner, subsequent resignation, and constitutional succession are documented. Exact totals, turnout, vice-presidential result, and legislative returns remain under archival review.
Sources
- African Elections Database, Liberia historical election index
- Elwood D. Dunn, Amos J. Beyan, and Carl Patrick Burrowes, Historical Dictionary of Liberia.
- U.S. Office of the Historian, 1883 Liberia diplomatic records index