Closest U.S. Presidential Elections
Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff 
Throughout U.S. history, there have been several close presidential races. This top ten closest U.S. presidential elections list is based on the combination of popular vote, electoral vote, and states carried by each candidate.
| Rank | Year | Candidates | Popular Vote | Electoral Vote | States Carried |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1960 | John F. Kennedy over Richard Nixon | 34,220,984 - 34,108,157 | 303 - 219 | 23 - 27 |
| 2. | 2000 | George W. Bush over Al Gore | 50,456,002 - 50,999,897 | 271 - 266 | 30 - 20+DC |
| 3. | 1976 | Jimmy Carter over Gerald Ford | 40,831,881 - 39,148,634 | 297 - 240 | 23+DC - 27 |
| 4. | 1876 | Rutherford B. Hayes over Samuel Tilden | 4,034,311 - 4,288,546 | 185 - 184 | 21 - 17 |
| 5. | 1880 | James Garfield over Winfield Hancock | 4,446,158 - 4,444,260 | 214 - 155 | 19 - 19 |
| 6. | 1888 | Benjamin Harrison over Grover Cleveland | 5,443,892 - 5,534,488 | 233 - 168 | 20 - 18 |
| 7. | 1884 | Grover Cleveland over James G. Blaine | 4,914,482 - 4,856,905 | 219 - 182 | 20 - 18 |
| 8. | 1844 | James K. Polk over Henry Clay | 1,339,494 - 1,300,004 | 170 - 105 | 15 - 11 |
| 9. | 1824 | John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson | 113,122 - 151,271 | 84 - 99 | 7 - 12 |
| 10. | 1812 | James Madison over Dewitt Clinton | 140,431 - 132,781 | 128 - 89 | 11 - 7 |
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