Who won Illinois in the 1988 presidential election?

Bush (Republican) carried Illinois in 1988, winning its 24 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did Illinois have in 1988?

Illinois cast 24 electoral votes in the 1988 presidential election.

Did Illinois vote for the national winner in 1988?

Yes. Illinois backed George H. W. Bush, who won the presidency that year.

Cold War RealignmentIL · 24 EV

1988

Illinois: Bush carries 24 EV.

Illinois cast its 24 electoral votes for Bush (Republican). National winner: George H. W. Bush (Republican) — Illinois voted with the national winner this cycle.

Illinois in 1988

The 1988 contest saw Illinois line up behind Bush, delivering 24 electoral votes to the Republican ticket. That placed Illinois with the eventual winner: George H. W. Bush went on to take the presidency, and Illinois was part of his column.

Illinois stayed in the Republican column for the 6th straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1968. The region divided — Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana joined Illinois for the Republican ticket, while Wisconsin and Iowa did not. Over its 53 recorded presidential cycles, Illinois has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 26 times in all. The vote fell within the Cold War Realignment — Nixon, Reagan, and the Republican South.

Nationally, George H. W. Bush finished with 426 of the 538 electoral votes to Michael Dukakis's 111. George H. W. Bush led the national popular vote with 53.37% of the ballots cast.

The 1988 national map

Illinois full history →