Though Nixon won the popular vote by less than 1 percent, he easily took the Electoral College, 301 votes to 191.įor the first time, many minorities - particularly across the South - were enfranchised, following the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In a hectic election year - one following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., race riots, and Vietnam War protests - Richard Nixon promised to restore “law and order” to the country. Nixon wins - and Wallace takes five states He handily beat Barry Goldwater in electoral votes, 486 to 52, and carried 44 of 50 states (and Washington, DC). In the 1964 election, he rode the wave of Kennedy’s popularity to earn 61.1 percent of the popular vote - the highest since 1820. American turns blue for Johnsonįollowing the assassination of President Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon B.

This election also featured the first televised debate, in which Nixon’s famously waxy, sweating face likely docked him public support. This was, in part, a result of political strategy: Nixon campaigned in all 50 states, while Kennedy focused on swing states. Though Nixon won more states (26 to 22), Kennedy triumphed in Electoral College votes (303 to 219). Kennedy edged out Richard Nixon by a mere 112,827 votes. How has America’s political landscape changed over time? What were the biggest blowouts? And what new regional trends have emerged in the way we vote? So in light of last night’s tumultuous election - which featured some unexpected state-level results - we’ve assembled a map for every presidential contest going back 56 years. Maps are one of the most compelling ways to understand our nation’s political history.

For our most recent coverage of the US election, visit our 2020 election hub. Editor’s note, 11/3/20: This article was last updated on November 8, 2016.

Presidential popular vote totals