<Tr> <Th> Method of choosing electors </Th> <Th> State (s) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Each Elector appointed by state legislature </Td> <Td> South Carolina </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Each Elector chosen by voters statewide </Td> <Td> (all other States) </Td> </Tr> <P> Polk's election confirmed the American public's desire for westward expansion . The annexation of Texas was formalized on March 1, 1845, before Polk even took office . As feared, Mexico refused to accept the annexation and the Mexican - American War broke out in 1846 . With Polk's main issue of Texas settled, instead of demanding all of Oregon, he compromised and the United States and United Kingdom negotiated the Buchanan - Pakenham Treaty, which divided up the Oregon Territory between the two countries . </P>

Expansionist candidate who won the presidency back for the democrats in 1844