Who won Virginia in the 1980 presidential election?

Reagan (Republican) carried Virginia in 1980, winning its 12 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did Virginia have in 1980?

Virginia cast 12 electoral votes in the 1980 presidential election.

Did Virginia vote for the national winner in 1980?

Yes. Virginia backed Ronald Reagan, who won the presidency that year.

Cold War RealignmentVA · 12 EV

1980

Virginia: Reagan carries 12 EV.

Virginia cast its 12 electoral votes for Reagan (Republican). National winner: Ronald Reagan (Republican) — Virginia voted with the national winner this cycle.

Virginia in 1980

The 1980 contest saw Virginia line up behind Reagan, delivering 12 electoral votes to the Republican ticket. That placed Virginia with the eventual winner: Ronald Reagan went on to take the presidency, and Virginia was part of his column.

Virginia stayed in the Republican column for the 4th straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1968. The region divided — North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky joined Virginia for the Republican ticket, while West Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia did not. Over its 58 recorded presidential cycles, Virginia has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 33 times in all. The vote fell within the Cold War Realignment — Nixon, Reagan, and the Republican South.

Nationally, Ronald Reagan finished with 489 of the 538 electoral votes to Jimmy Carter's 49. Ronald Reagan led the national popular vote with 50.75% of the ballots cast.

The 1980 national map

Virginia full history →