Who won South Dakota in the 2008 presidential election?

McCain (Republican) carried South Dakota in 2008, winning its 3 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did South Dakota have in 2008?

South Dakota cast 3 electoral votes in the 2008 presidential election.

Did South Dakota vote for the national winner in 2008?

No. South Dakota backed McCain, while Barack Obama won the presidency nationally.

Modern PolarizationSD · 3 EV

2008

South Dakota: McCain carries 3 EV.

South Dakota cast its 3 electoral votes for McCain (Republican). National winner: Barack Obama (Democratic) — South Dakota voted against the national winner this cycle.

Reading the 2008 result in South Dakota

South Dakota backed McCain (Republican) in the 2008 presidential election, casting 3 electoral votes for the ticket. The presidency went elsewhere: Barack Obama (Democratic) won nationally, while South Dakota had backed a different ticket.

South Dakota stayed in the Republican column for the 11th 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 Modern Polarization — Close elections in a divided country.

Nationally, Barack Obama finished with 365 of the 538 electoral votes to John McCain's 173. Barack Obama led the national popular vote with 52.93% of the ballots cast.

The 2008 national map

South Dakota full history →