1980Final results
1980 election for President in Wisconsin
President · Wisconsin
Ronald Reagan (R) won with 47.9% of the vote, defeating Jimmy Carter (D) by 4.7 points.
Ronald ReaganRepublican · winner
47.9%1,088,845
Jimmy CarterDemocrat
43.2%981,584
John B. AndersonIndependent
7.1%160,657
Edward ""ed"" ClarkLibertarian
1.3%29,135
Barry CommonerOther party
0.3%7,767
John RarickAmerican Independent
0.1%1,519
David McReynoldsSocialist
0.0%808
Gus HallCommunist
0.0%772
Deirdre GriswoldWorkers World
0.0%414
Clifton DeberrySocialist Workers
0.0%383
2,273,221 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), 1.3%; Barry Commoner (Other party), 0.3%; John Rarick (American Independent), 0.1%; David McReynolds (Socialist), 0.0%; Gus Hall (Communist), 0.0%; Deirdre Griswold (Workers World), 0.0%; Clifton Deberry (Socialist Workers), 0.0%