1976Final results
1976 election for President in Illinois
President · Illinois
Gerald Ford (R) won with 50.1% of the vote, defeating Jimmy Carter (D) by 2.0 points.
Gerald FordRepublican · winner
50.1%2,364,269
Jimmy CarterDemocrat
48.1%2,271,295
Eugene ""gene"" McCarthyIndependent
1.2%55,939
Gus HallCommunist
0.2%9,250
Roger MacbrideLibertarian
0.2%8,057
Peter CamejoSocialist Workers
0.1%3,615
Levin Julius ""jules""Other party
0.1%2,422
Lyndon, Larouche Jr.Other party
0.0%2,018
4,721,282 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1976
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Gerald Ford (R)Jimmy Carter (D)
Also on the ballot: Eugene ""gene"" McCarthy (Independent), 1.2%; Gus Hall (Communist), 0.2%; Roger Macbride (Libertarian), 0.2%; Peter Camejo (Socialist Workers), 0.1%; Levin Julius ""jules"" (Other party), 0.1%; Lyndon, Larouche Jr. (Other party), 0.0%