The American Vote
Cold War RealignmentSD · 3 EV

1988

South Dakota: Bush carries 3 EV.
South Dakota cast its 3 electoral votes for Bush (Republican). National winner: George H. W. Bush (Republican) — South Dakota voted with the national winner this cycle.

South Dakota in 1988

The 1988 contest saw South Dakota line up behind Bush, delivering 3 electoral votes to the Republican ticket. That placed South Dakota with the eventual winner: George H. W. Bush went on to take the presidency, and South Dakota was part of his column.

South Dakota stayed in the Republican column for the 6th straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1968. The region divided — North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana joined South Dakota for the Republican ticket, while Minnesota and Iowa did not. Over its 34 recorded presidential cycles, South Dakota has backed the Republican party more than any other — 29 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
South Dakota full history →
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South Dakota in nearby cycles