Skip to main content

Presidential election

1984 presidential election

Ronald Reagan defeated Walter Mondale, winning 525 of 538 electoral votes and 58.8% of the popular vote.

November 6, 1984

Ronald Reagan

Republican

Ronald Reagan won the 1984 presidential election with 525 of 538 electoral votes, and 58.8% of the popular vote. Running mate: George H. W. Bush.

525
of 538 electoral votes
58.8%
popular vote
53.3%
turnout

Results

Vote breakdown
Ronald ReaganRepublican
58.8%(54.5M votes)
525 EV
Walter MondaleDemocratic
40.6%(37.6M votes)
13 EV
Voter turnout

53.3%

Turnout rate

92.7M

Total votes cast

174.0M

Eligible voters

State results
StateElectoral votesWinnerMargin
California(CA)47
RepublicanReagan
+16.5%
New York(NY)36
RepublicanReagan
+8%
Texas(TX)29
RepublicanReagan
+27.4%
Minnesota(MN)10
DemocraticMondale
+0.2%
District of Columbia(DC)3
DemocraticMondale
+71%
Swing states
Minnesota
Held
Electoral votes:10
Margin:0.2%
Previous:Carter
New York
Held
Electoral votes:36
Margin:8%
Previous:Reagan

Candidates

Ronald Reagan
Winner

Party

Republican

Running mate

George H. W. Bush

Home state

California

Age at election

73

Previous position

40th President of the United States (Incumbent)

Campaign slogan

"It's Morning Again in America"

Popular vote

54.5M

(58.8%)

Electoral votes

525

Walter Mondale

Party

Democratic

Running mate

Geraldine Ferraro

Home state

Minnesota

Age at election

56

Previous position

Former Vice President

Popular vote

37.6M

(40.6%)

Electoral votes

13

Voting demographics

White Voters

Reagan

64%

Young Voters

Reagan

59%

African Americans

Mondale

91%

Key events

Campaign timeline
major
July 1984

Ferraro Nominated

First woman on major-party presidential ticket

moderate
October 1984

Age Issue Debate

Reagan deflected age concerns with humor about Mondale's 'youth'

Presidential debates

Issues & context

Key campaign issues
Economic Recovery
Defense and Cold War
Taxes
Social Issues
Government Size
Historical context

'Morning in America' - economy recovering, pride restored. Reagan at peak popularity. Mondale's promise to raise taxes politically disastrous. Ferraro made history as first woman VP nominee.

Economic conditions

Strong recovery from 1981-82 recession. Growth robust. Inflation falling. 'Reagan Recovery' in full swing.

Incumbent factors

Reagan beloved. 'Morning in America' ads iconic. Mondale associated with Carter malaise. Age concerns deflected with debate humor.

Legacy and impact

Reagan's 525 electoral votes second only to FDR's 523 in 1936. Conservative movement triumphant. Ferraro as first woman VP nominee was historic.

Did you know?

  • 1.Reagan won 49 states - tied with Nixon 1972
  • 2.Mondale won only Minnesota (barely) and D.C.
  • 3.Ferraro was first woman major-party VP nominee
  • 4.Reagan's age joke is legendary debate moment
  • 5.'Morning in America' ad considered greatest political ad ever
Explore more

1988 Election

View the next presidential election

1980 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.