1980 United States presidential election — 49th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
Reagan's landslide victory over Carter marked a major conservative political realignment in the United States, ending four years of Democratic incumbency.
Key Facts
- Reagan Electoral Votes
- 489
- Carter Electoral Votes
- 49
- Reagan Popular Vote Share
- 50.7 %
- Carter Popular Vote Share
- 41.0 %
- Anderson Popular Vote Share
- 6.6 %
- Election Number
- 49th quadrennial presidential election
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
President Carter faced severe political headwinds including stagflation, the ongoing Iran hostage crisis, poor relations with Democratic congressional leaders, and an intra-party primary challenge from Senator Ted Kennedy. These factors fueled broad public dissatisfaction and opened the door for a strong Republican challenge led by former California governor Ronald Reagan.
On November 4, 1980, American voters chose between the Republican ticket of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, the Democratic incumbent ticket of Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale, and the independent ticket of John B. Anderson and Patrick Lucey. Reagan campaigned on increased defense spending, supply-side economics, and a balanced budget, while Carter warned voters of Reagan's alleged extremism.
Reagan won in a landslide, capturing 489 electoral votes and 50.7% of the popular vote to Carter's 49 electoral votes and 41.0%. The result was widely interpreted as a political realignment toward conservatism, marking the first defeat of an incumbent Democratic president since 1888 and ushering in the Reagan era of American politics.
Political Outcome
Republican ticket of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush won in a landslide with 489 electoral votes and 50.7% of the popular vote; Carter received 49 electoral votes and 41.0%.
Democratic administration of President Jimmy Carter
Republican administration of President-elect Ronald Reagan