The American Vote
Cold War RealignmentMA · 14 EV

1972

Massachusetts: McGovern carries 14 EV.
Massachusetts cast its 14 electoral votes for McGovern (Democratic). National winner: Richard Nixon (Republican) — Massachusetts voted against the national winner this cycle.

Massachusetts in 1972

The 1972 contest saw Massachusetts line up behind McGovern, delivering 14 electoral votes to the Democratic ticket. The presidency went elsewhere: Richard Nixon (Republican) won nationally, while Massachusetts had backed a different ticket.

Massachusetts stayed in the Democratic column for the 4th straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1960. The region divided — Rhode Island joined Massachusetts for the Democratic ticket, while Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire did not. Over its 60 recorded presidential cycles, Massachusetts has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 23 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
Massachusetts full history →
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Massachusetts in nearby cycles