Presidential election
1968 presidential election
Richard Nixon defeated Hubert Humphrey, winning 301 of 538 electoral votes and 43.4% of the popular vote.
Results
60.8%
Turnout rate
73.2M
Total votes cast
120.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| California(CA) | 40 | RepublicanNixon | +3.1% |
| New York(NY) | 43 | DemocraticHumphrey | +5.5% |
| Texas(TX) | 25 | DemocraticHumphrey | +1.3% |
| Alabama(AL) | 10 | American IndependentWallace | +65.9% |
| Ohio(OH) | 26 | RepublicanNixon | +2.3% |
Candidates
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Spiro Agnew
Home state
New York
Age at election
55
Previous position
Former Vice President
Campaign slogan
"Nixon's the One"
Popular vote
31.8M
(43.4%)
Electoral votes
301
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
Edmund Muskie
Home state
Minnesota
Age at election
57
Previous position
Vice President of the United States
Campaign slogan
"Humphrey for the People"
Popular vote
31.3M
(42.7%)
Electoral votes
191
Party
American IndependentRunning mate
Curtis LeMay
Home state
Alabama
Age at election
49
Previous position
Governor of Alabama
Popular vote
9.9M
(13.5%)
Electoral votes
46
White Southerners
Wallace
45%
African Americans
Humphrey
97%
Blue-Collar Whites
Nixon/Wallace
55%
Key events
LBJ Withdraws
Stunning announcement he would not seek reelection
MLK Assassination
Sparked riots in 100+ cities
RFK Assassination
Killed after winning California primary
Chicago Convention Riots
Police brutality against protesters hurt Democrats
Issues & context
Most tumultuous election year in modern history. Two assassinations. Convention riots. Wallace's third-party run. Nixon's 'Southern Strategy' appealed to white backlash. 'Silent Majority' concept launched.
Vietnam War spending causing inflation. Economic strain beginning. Urban decay visible. Labor still strong but divided.
LBJ destroyed by Vietnam. Humphrey tied to unpopular war. Nixon positioned as change candidate despite being former VP.
Nixon's 'Southern Strategy' realigned parties. Vietnam continued. Watergate would follow. Wallace showed power of racial backlash politics.
Did you know?
- 1.Two major assassinations in one year
- 2.Chicago convention became symbol of Democratic chaos
- 3.Wallace won 5 Southern states as third party
- 4.Nixon's comeback after 1960 and 1962 losses
- 5.Closest popular vote since 1960