So it turns out...

[CathKhan]

...that if you mess with the map code, you can actually make maps dating back to 1824. And I'll have to check up on this, but assuming that the same amount of states were in existence between 1820 and 1824, you could make an 1820 map too without it looking awkward (empty states, like when you create an 1800 map using the map code and just leave states gray or white). What's with this?

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

I'm confused as to what you're asking.  Yes... we have map making capabilities that go back to the 1800s.  Is that what you're asking?

[CathKhan]

On the EV calc, you can only go back to 1840. Fiddling with the map code, specifically the tear specification, you can actually go back to 1824. I guess what I'm asking is why we can't do that on the EV calc. I was more just pointing that out, but yeah, I guess that's what I'm asking.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

On the EV calc, you can only go back to 1840. Fiddling with the map code, specifically the tear specification, you can actually go back to 1824. I guess what I'm asking is why we can't do that on the EV calc. I was more just pointing that out, but yeah, I guess that's what I'm asking.

I'm guessing Dave was working on updating the maps to get them fully functional and never updated the EV calc options.  I'd suggest e-mailing him if you want him to update it.

[Californian Tony]

Interesting...

[True Federalist]

There are several reasons why Dave is unlikely to go earlier than 1824.

1) In the earlier elections, you have a far wider variety of methods of selecting electors than statewide winner-take-all.  Indeed, technically, 1824, 1828, and 1832 do not at present allow for the full range of options.  Maryland was single-member districts with no statewide electors thru 1832 (Tennessee used the same method thru 1828 and three more states used it in 1824), Maine used the 1 per CD plus 2 statewide through 1828, and in 1828 New York used a funky method where the voters elected 1 elector per CD and then those electors picked 2 more.

2) The popular vote was not used as much in selecting electors in those earlier elections.

3) For 1820, Dave would need to change the shapes of both Missouri and Massachusetts.