1980Final results
1980 election for President in Iowa
President · Iowa
Ronald Reagan (R) won with 51.3% of the vote, defeating Jimmy Carter (D) by 12.7 points.
Ronald ReaganRepublican · winner
51.3%676,026
Jimmy CarterDemocrat
38.6%508,672
John B. AndersonIndependent
8.8%115,633
Edward ""ed"" ClarkLibertarian
1.0%13,123
Barry CommonerOther party
0.2%2,273
David McReynoldsSocialist
0.0%534
Gus HallCommunist
0.0%298
Clifton DeberrySocialist Workers
0.0%244
Percy L, Greaves Jr.Other party
0.0%189
Benjamin ""ben"" BubarOther party
0.0%150
1,317,661 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 1980
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Ronald Reagan (R)Jimmy Carter (D)John B. Anderson (I)
Also on the ballot: Edward ""ed"" Clark (Libertarian), 1.0%; Barry Commoner (Other party), 0.2%; David McReynolds (Socialist), 0.0%; Gus Hall (Communist), 0.0%; Clifton Deberry (Socialist Workers), 0.0%; Percy L, Greaves Jr. (Other party), 0.0%; Benjamin ""ben"" Bubar (Other party), 0.0%