Who won California in the 1996 presidential election?

Clinton (Democratic) carried California in 1996, winning its 54 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did California have in 1996?

California cast 54 electoral votes in the 1996 presidential election.

Did California vote for the national winner in 1996?

Yes. California backed Bill Clinton, who won the presidency that year.

Modern PolarizationCA · 54 EV

1996

California: Clinton carries 54 EV.

California cast its 54 electoral votes for Clinton (Democratic). National winner: Bill Clinton (Democratic) — California voted with the national winner this cycle.

What happened in California, 1996

In 1996, California awarded its 54 electoral votes to Clinton of the Democratic party. That placed California with the eventual winner: Bill Clinton went on to take the presidency, and California was part of his column.

California stayed in the Democratic column for the 2nd straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1992. The region divided — Oregon and Nevada joined California for the Democratic ticket, while Arizona did not. 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 Modern Polarization — Close elections in a divided country.

Nationally, Bill Clinton finished with 379 of the 538 electoral votes to Bob Dole's 159. Bill Clinton led the national popular vote with 49.23% of the ballots cast.

The 1996 national map

California full history →