Liberia Civic historical record
Liberia held a general election on 5 May 1863 to choose a successor to President Stephen Allen Benson.
Presidential election
Daniel Bashiel Warner of the Republican Party defeated Chief Justice Boston Jenkins Drayton, who is identified in historical election indexes with the Anti-Administration opposition.
No complete certified national vote total or turnout figure has yet been verified for this archive.
Transition of power
Warner succeeded Benson and took office on 4 January 1864. The transition ended Benson’s eight years in the presidency and began Warner’s four-year administration.
Political context
The contest occurred during Liberia’s regular biennial election cycle under the 1847 Constitution. It is one of the earliest elections for which the date, competing presidential candidates, party alignment, winner, and inauguration date can be reconstructed, even though a complete numerical return remains unavailable.
Evidence status
Classification: Partial historical results. The election date, principal candidates, party alignments, winner, and inauguration date are documented. Vote totals, turnout, vice-presidential result, and complete legislative returns remain under archival review.
Sources
- Frederick Starr, Liberia: Description, History, Problems (constitutional election schedule)
- Carl Patrick Burrowes, “Democracy or Disarmament,” Liberian Studies Journal.
- African Elections Database, historical Liberia election index.