Who won Montana in the 1896 presidential election?

Bryan (Democratic) carried Montana in 1896, winning its 3 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did Montana have in 1896?

Montana cast 3 electoral votes in the 1896 presidential election.

Did Montana vote for the national winner in 1896?

No. Montana backed Bryan, while William McKinley won the presidency nationally.

Progressive EraMT · 3 EV

1896

Montana: Bryan carries 3 EV.

Montana cast its 3 electoral votes for Bryan (Democratic). National winner: William McKinley (Republican) — Montana voted against the national winner this cycle.

Montana in 1896

The 1896 contest saw Montana line up behind Bryan, delivering 3 electoral votes to the Democratic ticket. The presidency went elsewhere: William McKinley (Republican) won nationally, while Montana had backed a different ticket.

The result flipped Montana away from the Populist it had supported in 1892. The region divided — Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota joined Montana for the Democratic ticket, while North Dakota did not. Over its 34 recorded presidential cycles, Montana has backed the Republican party more than any other — 22 times in all. The vote fell within the Progressive Era — Trust-busting, suffrage, and World War I.

Nationally, William McKinley finished with 271 of the 447 electoral votes to William Jennings Bryan's 176. William McKinley led the national popular vote with 51.02% of the ballots cast.

The 1896 national map

Montana full history →