Who won West Virginia in the 2008 presidential election?

McCain (Republican) carried West Virginia in 2008, winning its 5 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did West Virginia have in 2008?

West Virginia cast 5 electoral votes in the 2008 presidential election.

Did West Virginia vote for the national winner in 2008?

No. West Virginia backed McCain, while Barack Obama won the presidency nationally.

Modern PolarizationWV · 5 EV

2008

West Virginia: McCain carries 5 EV.

West Virginia cast its 5 electoral votes for McCain (Republican). National winner: Barack Obama (Democratic) — West Virginia voted against the national winner this cycle.

Reading the 2008 result in West Virginia

West Virginia backed McCain (Republican) in the 2008 presidential election, casting 5 electoral votes for the ticket. The presidency went elsewhere: Barack Obama (Democratic) won nationally, while West Virginia had backed a different ticket.

West Virginia stayed in the Republican column for the 3rd straight cycle, extending a run that began in 2000. The region divided — Kentucky joined West Virginia for the Republican ticket, while Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia did not. Over its 41 recorded presidential cycles, West Virginia has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 22 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

West Virginia full history →