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Presidential election

1980 presidential election

Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, winning 489 of 538 electoral votes and 50.7% of the popular vote.

November 4, 1980

Ronald Reagan

Republican

Ronald Reagan won the 1980 presidential election with 489 of 538 electoral votes, and 50.7% of the popular vote. Running mate: George H. W. Bush.

489
of 538 electoral votes
50.7%
popular vote
52.6%
turnout

Results

Vote breakdown
Ronald ReaganRepublican
50.7%(43.9M votes)
489 EV
Jimmy CarterDemocratic
41%(35.5M votes)
49 EV
John AndersonIndependent
6.6%(5.7M votes)
0 EV
Voter turnout

52.6%

Turnout rate

86.5M

Total votes cast

164.0M

Eligible voters

State results
StateElectoral votesWinnerMargin
California(CA)45
RepublicanReagan
+17%
New York(NY)41
RepublicanReagan
+2.7%
Texas(TX)26
RepublicanReagan
+14%
Georgia(GA)12
DemocraticCarter
+0.2%
Minnesota(MN)10
DemocraticCarter
+0.6%
Swing states
New York
Flipped
Electoral votes:41
Margin:2.7%
Previous:Carter
Pennsylvania
Flipped
Electoral votes:27
Margin:7.1%
Previous:Carter

Candidates

Ronald Reagan
Winner

Party

Republican

Running mate

George H. W. Bush

Home state

California

Age at election

69

Previous position

Governor of California

Campaign slogan

"Let's Make America Great Again"

Popular vote

43.9M

(50.7%)

Electoral votes

489

Jimmy Carter

Party

Democratic

Running mate

Walter Mondale

Home state

Georgia

Age at election

56

Previous position

39th President of the United States (Incumbent)

Popular vote

35.5M

(41%)

Electoral votes

49

John Anderson

Party

Independent

Running mate

Patrick Lucey

Home state

Illinois

Age at election

58

Previous position

U.S. Representative from Illinois

Popular vote

5.7M

(6.6%)

Electoral votes

0

Voting demographics

White Evangelicals

Reagan

67%

Reagan Democrats

Reagan

55%

African Americans

Carter

83%

Key events

Campaign timeline
major
November 4, 1979

Iran Hostage Crisis Begins

52 Americans taken hostage in Tehran embassy

major
October 28, 1980

Reagan-Carter Debate

'There you go again' line became famous

Presidential debates

Issues & context

Key campaign issues
Iran Hostage Crisis
Economy (Inflation, Recession)
National Malaise
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Energy Crisis
Historical context

Reagan Revolution began. Iran hostages dominated news. 'Are you better off than 4 years ago?' devastated Carter. Conservative movement achieved presidency. Reagan's optimism vs Carter's 'malaise.'

Economic conditions

Double-digit inflation. Recession. High unemployment. Gas lines. 'Misery Index' at historic highs. Economic collapse of Carter presidency.

Incumbent factors

Carter plagued by hostage crisis, economy, and primary challenge from Kennedy. Reagan's 'Morning in America' optimism contrasted with Carter's struggles.

Legacy and impact

Launched Reagan Revolution. Hostages released day Reagan inaugurated. Conservative era began. Government seen as problem not solution.

Did you know?

  • 1.Hostages released minutes after Reagan inaugurated
  • 2.'There you go again' became iconic debate moment
  • 3.Reagan was oldest elected president at 69 (until Trump)
  • 4.Carter won only 6 states
  • 5.Reagan's slogan similar to Trump's later 'Make America Great Again'
Explore more

1984 Election

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1976 Election

View the previous presidential election

Compare This Election

See how this election compares to others

Electoral College Map

Interactive visualization of electoral results

Swing State Analysis

Which states were battlegrounds?

This site explains the structure and history of U.S. federal elections and is not an official government resource. All data shown is for educational purposes only.