The 1876 presidential election between Samuel T. Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes was one of the most controversial in American history, as Tilden won the popular vote but Hayes won the electoral vote after the results were disputed and went to a special commission. The commission ultimately ruled in favor of Hayes, making him the winner and next president despite being behind in the initial popular vote count. This contested election highlighted some of the flaws in the electoral system that could allow a candidate to lose the nationwide popular vote but still take the presidency.