1976 United States presidential election in Indiana


The 1976 United States presidential election in Indiana was held on November 2, 1976. Incumbent President Gerald Ford won the state of Indiana with 53% of the vote, carrying the state's 13 electoral votes. He defeated Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter in Indiana by a margin of 7.62 points.

Analysis

Ford won Indiana by a comfortable margin, of 7.62%. Carter did, however, make substantial headway in Indiana, significantly improving from George McGovern's 1972 performance in the state. Ford did well throughout most parts of the state. Carter managed to keep Ford's victory in Indiana under ten points by winning most of Southern Indiana. Vigo County home to Terre Haute, is a bellwether county that has gotten every presidential election right, except twice, since 1892. This election was no exception. Carter won Vigo County, and the presidency.
, this is the last election in which Dearborn County, Dubois County, Martin County, Ohio County, and Owen County voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate.

Hillary Clinton’s role in the Carter campaign

One of the Carter campaign's state organizers in Indiana was Hillary Rodham. Rodham would go on to serve as a First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State. Forty years later, during her turn as the Democratic nominee for president, Carter gave a speech in support of her candidacy saying, "During my 1976 presidential run, a young woman moved to Indianapolis to help turn out the Indiana vote for me. Forty years later, I will proudly cast my vote for that same woman to be the next President of the United States."

Results

Results by county