1980Final results
1980 election for President in North Carolina
President · North Carolina
Ronald Reagan (R) won with 49.3% of the vote, defeating Jimmy Carter (D) by 2.1 points.
Ronald ReaganRepublican · winner
49.3%915,018
Jimmy CarterDemocrat
47.2%875,635
John B. AndersonIndependent
2.8%52,800
Edward ""ed"" ClarkLibertarian
0.5%9,677
Barry CommonerOther party
0.1%2,287
Clifton DeberrySocialist Workers
0.0%416
1,855,833 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)
Also on the ballot: John B. Anderson (Independent), 2.8%; Edward ""ed"" Clark (Libertarian), 0.5%; Barry Commoner (Other party), 0.1%; Clifton Deberry (Socialist Workers), 0.0%