1980Final results
1980 election for President in Rhode Island
President · Rhode Island
Jimmy Carter (D) won with 47.7% of the vote, defeating Ronald Reagan (R) by 10.5 points.
Jimmy CarterDemocrat · winner
47.7%198,342
Ronald ReaganRepublican
37.2%154,793
John B. AndersonIndependent
14.4%59,819
Edward ""ed"" ClarkLibertarian
0.6%2,458
Gus HallCommunist
0.1%218
David McReynoldsSocialist
0.0%170
Clifton DeberrySocialist Workers
0.0%90
Deirdre GriswoldWorkers World
0.0%77
415,967 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
Jimmy Carter (D)Ronald Reagan (R)John B. Anderson (I)
Also on the ballot: Edward ""ed"" Clark (Libertarian), 0.6%; Gus Hall (Communist), 0.1%; David McReynolds (Socialist), 0.0%; Clifton Deberry (Socialist Workers), 0.0%; Deirdre Griswold (Workers World), 0.0%