Who won Rhode Island in the 1960 presidential election?

Kennedy (Democratic) carried Rhode Island in 1960, winning its 4 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did Rhode Island have in 1960?

Rhode Island cast 4 electoral votes in the 1960 presidential election.

Did Rhode Island vote for the national winner in 1960?

Yes. Rhode Island backed John F. Kennedy, who won the presidency that year.

New Deal CoalitionRI · 4 EV

1960

Rhode Island: Kennedy carries 4 EV.

Rhode Island cast its 4 electoral votes for Kennedy (Democratic). National winner: John F. Kennedy (Democratic) — Rhode Island voted with the national winner this cycle.

Rhode Island in 1960

The 1960 contest saw Rhode Island line up behind Kennedy, delivering 4 electoral votes to the Democratic ticket. That placed Rhode Island with the eventual winner: John F. Kennedy went on to take the presidency, and Rhode Island was part of his column.

The result flipped Rhode Island away from the Republican it had supported in 1956. Rhode Island did not move alone — neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts broke the same way in 1960. Over its 59 recorded presidential cycles, Rhode Island has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 25 times in all. The vote fell within the New Deal Coalition — FDR, civil rights, and the long Democratic majority.

Nationally, John F. Kennedy finished with 303 of the 537 electoral votes to Richard Nixon's 219. John F. Kennedy led the national popular vote with 49.72% of the ballots cast.

The 1960 national map

Rhode Island full history →