1980Final results
1980 election for President in South Carolina
President · South Carolina
Ronald Reagan (R) won with 49.5% of the vote, defeating Jimmy Carter (D) by 1.2 points.
Ronald ReaganRepublican · winner
49.5%439,277
Jimmy CarterDemocrat
48.2%428,220
John B. AndersonIndependent
1.6%13,868
Edward ""ed"" ClarkLibertarian
0.5%4,807
John RarickAmerican Independent
0.2%2,086
888,258 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), 1.6%; Edward ""ed"" Clark (Libertarian), 0.5%; John Rarick (American Independent), 0.2%