1984 Presidential Election

Both turnout percentages use votes cast for president. VAP counts residents of voting age; VEP adjusts for eligibility and includes eligible overseas citizens nationally.
53.3%
Turnout by VAP
55.2%
Turnout by VEP

Results of the presidential election of 1984, won by Ronald Reagan with 525 electoral votes.

Read The Full Article

Election History

Historical context for the 1984 election. Before the election: Democrats controlled the House and Republicans controlled the Senate.

October 23, 1983

Beirut Barracks Bombing

The attack killed U.S. service members in Lebanon and intensified questions about military missions, terrorism, and American involvement abroad.

August 13, 1981

Economic Recovery Tax Act

Major federal tax reductions became a central element of Reagan’s economic agenda and of debate over growth, inequality, and deficits.

July 1981

1981–1982 Recession Begins

A deep recession brought unemployment and industrial hardship before recovery, framing debate over inflation and the administration’s economic program.

Explore all historical events →

Ronald Reagan’s Cabinet

Officials who served during the 1981–1989 administration. Years show tenure in office, including service continuing into the next administration; acting service is identified. The chief of staff and counselor are included as senior White House advisers.

President: Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)

Vice President: George H. W. Bush (1981–1989)

Secretary of State: Alexander Haig (1981–1982), George Shultz (1982–1989)

Secretary of the Treasury: Donald Regan (1981–1985), James Baker (1985–1988), M. Peter McPherson (acting) (1988–1988), Nicholas F. Brady (1988–1993)

Secretary of Defense: Caspar Weinberger (1981–1987), Frank Carlucci (1987–1989)

Attorney General: William French Smith (1981–1985), Edwin Meese (1985–1988), Dick Thornburgh (1988–1991)

Secretary of the Interior: James G. Watt (1981–1983), William P. Clark Jr. (1983–1985), Donald P. Hodel (1985–1989)

Secretary of Agriculture: John R. Block (1981–1986), Richard Lyng (1986–1989)

Secretary of Commerce: Malcolm Baldrige Jr. (1981–1987), William Verity Jr. (1987–1989)

Secretary of Labor: Raymond J. Donovan (1981–1985), Bill Brock (1985–1987), Ann Dore McLaughlin (1987–1989)

Secretary of Health and Human Services: Richard Schweiker (1981–1983), Margaret Heckler (1983–1985), Otis Bowen (1985–1989)

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Samuel Pierce (1981–1989)

Secretary of Transportation: Drew Lewis (1981–1983), Elizabeth Dole (1983–1987), James H. Burnley IV (1987–1989)

Secretary of Energy: James B. Edwards (1981–1982), Donald P. Hodel (1982–1985), John S. Herrington (1985–1989)

Secretary of Education: Terrel Bell (1981–1985), Gary L. Jones (acting) (1985–1985), William Bennett (1985–1988), Lauro Cavazos (1988–1990)

Director of the Office of Management and Budget: David Stockman (1981–1985), James C. Miller III (1985–1988), Joe Wright (1988–1989)

Director of Central Intelligence: William J. Casey (1981–1987), Robert M. Gates (acting) (1986–1987), William H. Webster (1987–1991)

United States Trade Representative: Bill Brock (1981–1985), Clayton Yeutter (1985–1989)

Ambassador to the United Nations: Jeane Kirkpatrick (1981–1985), Vernon A. Walters (1985–1989)

Chief of Staff: James A. Baker III (1981–1985), Donald Regan (1985–1987), Howard H. Baker Jr. (1987–1988), Kenneth M. Duberstein (1988–1989)

Counselor to the President: Edwin Meese III (1981–1985)

Other Sources

Electoral Votes

Other color: Libertarian Party (David Bergland). Party identity color: combines economic libertarianism with civil-liberties positions; not a modern left–right rating. Combined Other totals include all remaining candidates.

270 to win
37,577,185 popular votes (40.6%)
Running Mate: Geraldine Ferraro
54,455,075 popular votes (58.8%)
Running Mate: George H. W. Bush

Reagan received 525 Electoral Votes and over 54 million popular votes. The Electoral Vote total is a record that stands to this day.

Presedential Election

Republican

State Electoral Votes

Alabama

9

Alaska

3

Arizona

7

Arkansas

6

California

47

Colorado

8

Connecticut

8

Delaware

3

District of Columbia

3

Florida

21

Georgia

12

Hawaii

4

Idaho

4

Illinois

24

Indiana

12

Iowa

8

Kansas

7

Kentucky

9

Louisiana

10

Maine

4

Maryland

10

Massachusetts

13

Michigan

20

Minnesota

10

Mississippi

7

Missouri

11

Montana

4

Nebraska

5

Nevada

4

New Hampshire

4

New Jersey

16

New Mexico

5

New York

36

North Carolina

13

North Dakota

3

Ohio

23

Oklahoma

8

Oregon

7

Pennsylvania

25

Rhode Island

4

South Carolina

8

South Dakota

3

Tennessee

11

Texas

29

Utah

5

Vermont

3

Virginia

12

Washington

10

West Virginia

6

Wisconsin

11

Wyoming

3

Popular Votes by VEP

54,455,075
75,055,621 (44.75%) did not vote

Share of 167,708,463 eligible people: Mondale 22.41% · Did Not Vote 44.75% · Other 0.37% · Reagan 32.47%.

Loading Data…

Secret Link