The role of vice president seems like a constant part of the US system today, yet earlier periods often included gaps when the position stayed empty. These situations appeared for different reasons, including deaths, transitions to the presidency, and rules that delayed replacement.
All Cases When the Vice President Role Was Empty
Before 1967, the system required a new election to fill the role, which meant presidents often continued their terms without a vice president. Over time, this created many such periods across different administrations.
Here are all 18 cases:
- James Madison from 1812 to 1813
- James Madison from 1814 to 1817
- Andrew Jackson from 1832 to 1833
- John Tyler from 1841 to 1845
- Millard Fillmore from 1850 to 1853
- Franklin Pierce from 1853 to 1857
- Andrew Johnson from 1865 to 1869
- Ulysses S Grant from 1875 to 1877
- Chester A Arthur from 1881 to 1885
- Grover Cleveland from 1885 to 1889
- William McKinley from 1899 to 1901
- Theodore Roosevelt from 1901 to 1905
- William Howard Taft from 1912 to 1913
- Calvin Coolidge from 1923 to 1925
- Harry Truman from 1945 to 1949
- Lyndon Johnson from 1963 to 1965
- Richard Nixon from October to December 1973
- Gerald Ford from August to December 1974
The adoption of the 25th Amendment introduced a clear process for appointing a vice president during a term. This change improved stability and ensured that the leadership structure remained complete even during unexpected events.
Since then, the position has remained filled, which reflects a more organized approach to government continuity.