1976Final results
1976 election for President in Kentucky
President · Kentucky
Jimmy Carter (D) won with 52.8% of the vote, defeating Gerald Ford (R) by 7.2 points.
Jimmy CarterDemocrat · winner
52.8%615,717
Gerald FordRepublican
45.6%531,852
Thomas J. AndersonOther party
0.7%8,308
Eugene ""gene"" McCarthyIndependent
0.6%6,837
Lester MaddoxAmerican Independent
0.2%2,328
Roger MacbrideLibertarian
0.1%814
Lyndon, Larouche Jr.Other party
0.0%510
Gus HallCommunist
0.0%426
Peter CamejoSocialist Workers
0.0%350
1,167,142 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
Jimmy Carter (D)Gerald Ford (R)
Also on the ballot: Thomas J. Anderson (Other party), 0.7%; Eugene ""gene"" McCarthy (Independent), 0.6%; Lester Maddox (American Independent), 0.2%; Roger Macbride (Libertarian), 0.1%; Lyndon, Larouche Jr. (Other party), 0.0%; Gus Hall (Communist), 0.0%; Peter Camejo (Socialist Workers), 0.0%