US 1976 Presidential Election
United States presidential election held November 1976. Jimmy Carter narrowly defeated incumbent Gerald Ford in the first post-Watergate presidential election.
US 1976 Presidential Election is one of the tracked elections shaping power in United States.
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Country context
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Winner profile
Jump from the result to Jimmy Carter's political profile, offices, and related entities.
Candidate field
Follow the 2 linked candidates and compare who contested this race.
Election Result
Clear outcome summary for this recorded election.
Carter narrowly defeated Ford in the first post-Watergate presidential election. Running as a Washington outsider, Carter capitalized on public distrust of government after Nixon's resignation and Ford's pardon.
U.S. Presidential Macro-Region Board
High-level regional outcome preview. Not precinct or county reporting.
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At a Glance
The US 1976 Presidential Election took place in 1976 in United States. The election determined who would hold the office of President of the United States.
Jimmy Carter won the election. Voter turnout was reported at 53.6%, giving a sense of how many people took part in the contest. 2 candidates contested the election: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.
Election Snapshot
- Status
- Recorded
- Election Year
- 1976
- Country
- United States
- Office Contested
- President of the United States
- Winner
- Jimmy Carter
- Turnout
- 53.6%
- Candidates
- 2
- Linked Offices
- 0
Result Overview
Carter narrowly defeated Ford in the first post-Watergate presidential election. Running as a Washington outsider, Carter capitalized on public distrust of government after Nixon's resignation and Ford's pardon.
Quick Facts
- Won by Jimmy Carter
- Voter turnout: 53.6%
- 2 candidates tracked
Details
- election year
- 1976
- office contested
- President of the United States
Country Context
This election is connected to United States. Use the country page to follow broader institutions, offices, and election history.
Candidates
Politicians directly connected to this election through the graph.
Next To Explore
United States
Federal presidential constitutional republic in North America. Power is divided across the presidency, Congress, the states, and the federal courts. National politics is dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, but third parties and independents still shape the broader system.
Gerald Ford
38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. The only president never elected as either president or vice president, ascending through the Twenty-Fifth Amendment.
Jimmy Carter
39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Former Georgia governor who brokered the Camp David Accords. Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who won the US 1976 Presidential Election?
- The US 1976 Presidential Election was won by Jimmy Carter. Jimmy Carter ran as the candidate of Democratic Party.
- Who came second in the US 1976 Presidential Election?
- The runner-up in the US 1976 Presidential Election was Gerald Ford. The contest between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford defined the central dynamics of this election.
- What was the voter turnout for the US 1976 Presidential Election?
- Voter turnout for the US 1976 Presidential Election was 53.6%. Turnout levels reflect public engagement with the democratic process and can be influenced by factors such as voter registration requirements, election accessibility, the competitiveness of the race, and public trust in political institutions.
- When did the US 1976 Presidential Election take place?
- The US 1976 Presidential Election took place in 1976. Electoral timing in United States is governed by constitutional requirements and may be influenced by the political circumstances of the moment.
- What offices were contested in the US 1976 Presidential Election?
- The US 1976 Presidential Election determined who would hold the office of President of the United States. The powers and responsibilities of this office make the election significant for the country's governance and policy direction.
- Which country held the US 1976 Presidential Election?
- The US 1976 Presidential Election was held in United States. The country's electoral system, political culture, and institutional framework shaped how the election was conducted and what the results mean for governance.
- Who were the candidates in the US 1976 Presidential Election?
- 2 candidates participated in the US 1976 Presidential Election, including Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter. The field of candidates reflects the political landscape and the range of options available to voters.
- What was the outcome of the US 1976 Presidential Election?
- Carter narrowly defeated Ford in the first post-Watergate presidential election. Running as a Washington outsider, Carter capitalized on public distrust of government after Nixon's resignation and Ford's pardon.
Connections
Candidates
Gerald Ford
38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. The only president never elected as either president or vice president, ascending through the Twenty-Fifth Amendment.
Jimmy Carter
39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Former Georgia governor who brokered the Camp David Accords. Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Trust & Coverage
- Page Type
- Election dashboard
- Last Updated
- March 21, 2026
- Sources
- Graph-backed
- Data Coverage
- Comprehensive(75/100)
Recorded outcomes appear only where winner and result metadata have been seeded or imported.
Upcoming elections may already show offices and linked candidates before final result data exists.
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United States
Federal presidential constitutional republic in North America. Power is divided across the presidency, Congress, the states, and the federal courts. National politics is dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, but third parties and independents still shape the broader system.
Gerald Ford
38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. The only president never elected as either president or vice president, ascending through the Twenty-Fifth Amendment.
Jimmy Carter
39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Former Georgia governor who brokered the Camp David Accords. Nobel Peace Prize laureate.