Nonsense. There wasn't any such thing to begin with. Prior to amendment 17, senators were elected by the vote of the state legislature. There was no "mini-electoral college" or popular vote.
There was definitely a popular vote for senator that year. It may have only been a straw poll or an extra item on a ballot of other issues. Lincoln definitely polled more votes than Douglas. I'll find that.
One interpretation arising from the debates is that Lincoln tricked Douglas into saying that the people in a territory could vote down slavery -- the Freeport Doctrine.
According to this line of thinking, Lincoln made it impossible for Douglas to carry southern states by so doing. I don't think Lincoln was that manipulative, do you?
Walt
Find it then. I am curious to see if there was.