(Hayes-Tilden Election) A very rare printed pass reading: Counting the Vote for President and Vice President, To Gallery of House of Representatives, Feb. 20, 1877 The Hayes-Tilden election was perhaps the closest presidential election ever. With returns yet due from only three Southern states, Tilden led and needed but one electoral vote to win. Republican officials in those states declared numbers of Democratic ballots invalid, and the commission convened to decide the election split cleanly along party lines, electing Hayes.