Rutherford B. Hayes's election is often noted for being which of the following?

Rutherford B. Hayes's election in 1876 is significant in American history primarily because it was one of the most contentious and corrupt elections. The election was marked by widespread electoral fraud, intimidation, and disputes over the results in several states. Hayes lost the popular vote to Samuel J. Tilden but won the presidency after receiving a controversial decision by a special Electoral Commission, which awarded him disputed electoral votes from several Southern states.

This outcome highlighted the intense political and social tensions of the Reconstruction era, particularly regarding issues like race, civil rights, and the integrity of the electoral process. The compromise that followed, known as the Compromise of 1877, resulted in Hayes's presidency but also led to the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction and paving the way for the Jim Crow era.

Understanding this context reveals why the election is frequently characterized as one of the most corrupt in U.S. history.