Who won California in the 1972 presidential election?

Nixon (Republican) carried California in 1972, winning its 45 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did California have in 1972?

California cast 45 electoral votes in the 1972 presidential election.

Did California vote for the national winner in 1972?

Yes. California backed Richard Nixon, who won the presidency that year.

Cold War RealignmentCA · 45 EV

1972

California: Nixon carries 45 EV.

California cast its 45 electoral votes for Nixon (Republican). National winner: Richard Nixon (Republican) — California voted with the national winner this cycle.

What happened in California, 1972

In 1972, California awarded its 45 electoral votes to Nixon of the Republican party. That placed California with the eventual winner: Richard Nixon went on to take the presidency, and California was part of his column.

California stayed in the Republican column for the 2nd straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1968. California did not move alone — neighboring Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona broke the same way in 1972. Over its 44 recorded presidential cycles, California has backed the Republican party more than any other — 22 times in all. The vote fell within the Cold War Realignment — Nixon, Reagan, and the Republican South.

Nationally, Richard Nixon finished with 520 of the 538 electoral votes to George McGovern's 17. Richard Nixon led the national popular vote with 60.67% of the ballots cast.

The 1972 national map

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