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U.S. presidential election, 1940

Presidential CandidateElectoral Vote Popular Vote Pct Party Running Mate
(Electoral Votes)
Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York (W) 449 27,244,160 54.9 Democrat Henry A. Wallace of Iowa (449)
Wendell Wilkie of New York 82 22,305,198 44.9 Republican Charles L. McNary of Oregon (82)
Norman Thomas of New York Socialist Maynard C. Krueger of Illinois
Total 100.0%
Other elections: 1928, 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1948, 1952
Source: U.S. Office of the Federal Register


Wendell Wilkie, a former Democrat, switched to the Republican party in 1939 in opposition to incumbant president Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. Wilkie campaigned against the New Deal and the government's lack of military preparedness. During the election, Roosevelt preempted the military issue by expanding military contracts. Wilkie then reversed his approach and accused Roosevelt of warmongering. On election day Roosevelt received 27 million votes to Wilkie's 22 million, and in the Electoral College, Roosevelt defeated Wilkie 449 to 82.

Norman Thomas of the Socialist Party received 116,410 popular votes (0.2%).

The election was held on November 5, 1940.

See also: President of the United States, U.S. presidential election, 1940, History of the United States (1918-1945)