 On January 29, 1877, President Grant signed the Electoral Commission Act, which set up a 15-member commission of eight Republicans and seven Democrats to settle the disputed 1876 election.The Electoral Commission awarded Rutherford B. Hayes the electoral votes he needed; Congress certified he had won by one electoral vote.The Democrats had little leverage—they could delay Hayes' election, but they could not put their man (Samuel J. Tilden) in the White House.