1976Final results
1976 election for President in South Carolina
President · South Carolina
Jimmy Carter (D) won with 56.2% of the vote, defeating Gerald Ford (R) by 13.0 points.
Jimmy CarterDemocrat · winner
56.2%450,807
Gerald FordRepublican
43.1%346,149
Thomas J. AndersonOther party
0.4%2,996
Lester MaddoxAmerican Independent
0.2%1,950
802,583 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), 0.4%; Lester Maddox (American Independent), 0.2%