Gore Vidal's acidulous take on American politics in 1876 echoes wierdly in 2021.  In the 1876 presidential election Tilden, the Democrat,  was one vote short of victory in the electoral college, while Rutherford Hayes was 19 votes behind.  20 votes were contested, from states still controlled by Federal militia enforcing Reconstruction laws and protecting the rights of ex-slaves. 

Hmmm.  All 20 contested votes ended up in Hayes' column, giving him a one-vote majority in the electoral college, though he had lost the popular vote. Chicanery? Back-room dealings?  you bet!