Presidential election
1936 presidential election
Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Alf Landon, winning 523 of 531 electoral votes and 60.8% of the popular vote.
Results
61%
Turnout rate
45.7M
Total votes cast
80.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 47 | DemocraticRoosevelt | +18.9% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 36 | DemocraticRoosevelt | +15% |
| Maine(ME) | 5 | RepublicanLandon | +1.4% |
| Vermont(VT) | 3 | RepublicanLandon | +12.1% |
| California(CA) | 22 | DemocraticRoosevelt | +33% |
Candidates
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
John Nance Garner
Home state
New York
Age at election
54
Previous position
32nd President of the United States (Incumbent)
Campaign slogan
"Forward with Roosevelt"
Popular vote
27.8M
(60.8%)
Electoral votes
523
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Frank Knox
Home state
Kansas
Age at election
49
Previous position
Governor of Kansas
Popular vote
16.7M
(36.5%)
Electoral votes
8
Labor Unions
Roosevelt
80%
Urban Areas
Roosevelt
70%
African Americans
Roosevelt
71%
Key events
Social Security Act
Created social insurance for elderly and unemployed
Literary Digest Poll Failure
Famous prediction of Landon win was spectacularly wrong
Issues & context
Greatest electoral landslide since 1820. New Deal realignment solidified. FDR won all but 2 states (Maine, Vermont). 'As Maine goes, so goes Vermont' became joke. New Deal coalition established.
Recovery from Depression underway but incomplete. Unemployment still high but improving. New Deal programs providing relief and jobs.
FDR enormously popular. New Deal coalition of labor, cities, minorities, South united. Republicans seen as party of Depression. Landon was moderate but couldn't compete.
Largest electoral margin ever. Court-packing controversy followed. New Deal coalition dominated until 1960s. FDR attempted Supreme Court expansion in 1937.
Did you know?
- 1.FDR won 523-8 electoral votes - most lopsided ever
- 2.Landon won only Maine and Vermont
- 3.'As Maine goes, so goes Vermont' replaced old saying
- 4.Literary Digest poll predicted Landon win - spectacularly wrong
- 5.FDR's second of four terms