Who won West Virginia in the 1896 presidential election?

McKinley (Republican) carried West Virginia in 1896, winning its 6 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did West Virginia have in 1896?

West Virginia cast 6 electoral votes in the 1896 presidential election.

Did West Virginia vote for the national winner in 1896?

Yes. West Virginia backed William McKinley, who won the presidency that year.

Progressive EraWV · 6 EV

1896

West Virginia: McKinley carries 6 EV.

West Virginia cast its 6 electoral votes for McKinley (Republican). National winner: William McKinley (Republican) — West Virginia voted with the national winner this cycle.

What happened in West Virginia, 1896

In 1896, West Virginia awarded its 6 electoral votes to McKinley of the Republican party. That placed West Virginia with the eventual winner: William McKinley went on to take the presidency, and West Virginia was part of his column.

The result flipped West Virginia away from the Democratic it had supported in 1892. The region divided — Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland joined West Virginia for the Republican ticket, while Virginia and Kentucky did not. Over its 41 recorded presidential cycles, West Virginia has backed the Democratic 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

West Virginia full history →