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2008 United States presidential election in Nevada

Updated: Wikipedia source

2008 United States presidential election in Nevada

The 2008 United States presidential election in Nevada was part of the 2008 United States presidential election, which took place on November 4, 2008, throughout all 50 states and D.C. Voters chose five representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president. Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain by 12.5 percentage points. Both candidates heavily campaigned in the state. Although Obama almost always led in polls, some argued that McCain, a nationally prominent senator from neighboring Arizona, had a legitimate chance of pulling off an upset in Nevada. Most news organizations considered Obama to be the favorite in the state, while many still viewed it as a relative swing state. In the previous four presidential elections, the margin of victory in Nevada had always been below 5 percentage points. George W. Bush carried the state twice in 2000 and 2004 while Bill Clinton narrowly won it in 1992 and in 1996. This was the first time since 1964 that a Democrat won an outright majority of the vote in Nevada. As of the 2024 presidential election, this is the last time a Democratic candidate won Carson City, as well as the last time that a presidential candidate has carried the state by a double-digit margin. Obama's winning margin of over 120,000 votes is the largest in history for a presidential candidate in Nevada, with no one else ever winning by six figures.

Infobox

Nominee
Barack Obama
Party
Democratic
Home state
Illinois
Running mate
Joe Biden
Electoral vote
5
Popular vote
533,736
Percentage
55.15%

Tables

· Campaign › Predictions
Likely R
Likely R
Source
D.C. Political Report
Ranking
Likely R
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
Cook Political Report
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
The Takeaway
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
Electoral-vote.com
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
Washington Post
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
Politico
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
RealClearPolitics
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
FiveThirtyEight
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
CQ Politics
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
The New York Times
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
CNN
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Lean D (flip)
Source
NPR
Ranking
Lean D (flip)
Toss-up
Toss-up
Source
MSNBC
Ranking
Toss-up
Toss-up
Toss-up
Source
Fox News
Ranking
Toss-up
Toss-up
Toss-up
Source
Associated Press
Ranking
Toss-up
Toss-up
Toss-up
Source
Rasmussen Reports
Ranking
Toss-up
Source
Ranking
Political Report
Likely R
Cook Political Report
Lean D (flip)
The Takeaway
Lean D (flip)
Electoral-vote.com
Lean D (flip)
Washington Post
Lean D (flip)
Politico
Lean D (flip)
RealClearPolitics
Lean D (flip)
FiveThirtyEight
Lean D (flip)
CQ Politics
Lean D (flip)
The New York Times
Lean D (flip)
CNN
Lean D (flip)
NPR
Lean D (flip)
MSNBC
Toss-up
Fox News
Toss-up
Associated Press
Toss-up
Rasmussen Reports
Toss-up
· Results
Party
Party
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Party
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Candidate
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Running mate
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Votes
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Percentage
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Electoral votes
Totals
Totals
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Totals
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
967,848
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
100.00%
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
5
Voter turnout (Voting age population)
Voter turnout (Voting age population)
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Voter turnout (Voting age population)
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
49.7%
2008 United States presidential election in Nevada
Party
Candidate
Running mate
Votes
Percentage
Electoral votes
Democratic
Barack Obama
Joe Biden
533,736
55.15%
5
Republican
John McCain
Sarah Palin
412,827
42.65%
0
None of these Candidates
None of these Candidates
6,267
0.65%
0
Independent
Ralph Nader
Matt Gonzalez
6,150
0.64%
0
Libertarian
Bob Barr
Wayne Allyn Root
4,263
0.44%
0
Constitution
Chuck Baldwin
Darrell Castle
3,194
0.33%
0
Green
Cynthia McKinney
Rosa Clemente
1,411
0.15%
0
Totals
967,848
100.00%
5
Voter turnout (Voting age population)
49.7%
· Results › By county
#
#
County
#
Barack ObamaDemocratic
%
Barack ObamaDemocratic
#
John McCainRepublican
%
John McCainRepublican
#
Various candidatesOther parties
%
Various candidatesOther parties
#
Margin
%
Carson City
Carson City
County
Carson City
Barack ObamaDemocratic
11,623
Barack ObamaDemocratic
49.08%
John McCainRepublican
11,419
John McCainRepublican
48.22%
Various candidatesOther parties
638
Various candidatesOther parties
2.70%
Margin
204
Margin
0.86%
Total votes cast
23,680
Churchill
Churchill
County
Churchill
Barack ObamaDemocratic
3,494
Barack ObamaDemocratic
32.95%
John McCainRepublican
6,832
John McCainRepublican
64.42%
Various candidatesOther parties
279
Various candidatesOther parties
2.63%
Margin
-3,338
Margin
-31.47%
Total votes cast
10,605
Clark
Clark
County
Clark
Barack ObamaDemocratic
380,765
Barack ObamaDemocratic
58.47%
John McCainRepublican
257,078
John McCainRepublican
39.48%
Various candidatesOther parties
13,329
Various candidatesOther parties
2.05%
Margin
123,687
Margin
18.99%
Total votes cast
651,172
Douglas
Douglas
County
Douglas
Barack ObamaDemocratic
10,672
Barack ObamaDemocratic
41.20%
John McCainRepublican
14,648
John McCainRepublican
56.55%
Various candidatesOther parties
584
Various candidatesOther parties
2.25%
Margin
-3,976
Margin
-15.35%
Total votes cast
25,904
Elko
Elko
County
Elko
Barack ObamaDemocratic
4,541
Barack ObamaDemocratic
28.35%
John McCainRepublican
10,969
John McCainRepublican
68.47%
Various candidatesOther parties
509
Various candidatesOther parties
3.18%
Margin
-6,428
Margin
-40.12%
Total votes cast
16,019
Esmeralda
Esmeralda
County
Esmeralda
Barack ObamaDemocratic
104
Barack ObamaDemocratic
23.69%
John McCainRepublican
303
John McCainRepublican
69.02%
Various candidatesOther parties
32
Various candidatesOther parties
7.29%
Margin
-199
Margin
-45.33%
Total votes cast
439
Eureka
Eureka
County
Eureka
Barack ObamaDemocratic
144
Barack ObamaDemocratic
19.33%
John McCainRepublican
564
John McCainRepublican
75.70%
Various candidatesOther parties
37
Various candidatesOther parties
4.97%
Margin
-420
Margin
-56.37%
Total votes cast
745
Humboldt
Humboldt
County
Humboldt
Barack ObamaDemocratic
1,909
Barack ObamaDemocratic
33.70%
John McCainRepublican
3,586
John McCainRepublican
63.31%
Various candidatesOther parties
169
Various candidatesOther parties
2.99%
Margin
-1,677
Margin
-29.61%
Total votes cast
5,664
Lander
Lander
County
Lander
Barack ObamaDemocratic
577
Barack ObamaDemocratic
27.45%
John McCainRepublican
1,466
John McCainRepublican
69.74%
Various candidatesOther parties
59
Various candidatesOther parties
2.81%
Margin
-889
Margin
-42.29%
Total votes cast
2,102
Lincoln
Lincoln
County
Lincoln
Barack ObamaDemocratic
518
Barack ObamaDemocratic
24.58%
John McCainRepublican
1,498
John McCainRepublican
71.10%
Various candidatesOther parties
91
Various candidatesOther parties
4.32%
Margin
-980
Margin
-46.52%
Total votes cast
2,107
Lyon
Lyon
County
Lyon
Barack ObamaDemocratic
8,405
Barack ObamaDemocratic
39.83%
John McCainRepublican
12,154
John McCainRepublican
57.59%
Various candidatesOther parties
544
Various candidatesOther parties
2.58%
Margin
-3,749
Margin
-17.76%
Total votes cast
21,103
Mineral
Mineral
County
Mineral
Barack ObamaDemocratic
1,082
Barack ObamaDemocratic
46.90%
John McCainRepublican
1,131
John McCainRepublican
49.02%
Various candidatesOther parties
94
Various candidatesOther parties
4.08%
Margin
-49
Margin
-2.12%
Total votes cast
2,307
Nye
Nye
County
Nye
Barack ObamaDemocratic
7,226
Barack ObamaDemocratic
41.31%
John McCainRepublican
9,537
John McCainRepublican
54.53%
Various candidatesOther parties
728
Various candidatesOther parties
4.16%
Margin
-2,311
Margin
-13.22%
Total votes cast
17,491
Pershing
Pershing
County
Pershing
Barack ObamaDemocratic
673
Barack ObamaDemocratic
36.66%
John McCainRepublican
1,075
John McCainRepublican
58.55%
Various candidatesOther parties
88
Various candidatesOther parties
4.79%
Margin
-402
Margin
-21.89%
Total votes cast
1,836
Storey
Storey
County
Storey
Barack ObamaDemocratic
1,102
Barack ObamaDemocratic
45.57%
John McCainRepublican
1,247
John McCainRepublican
51.57%
Various candidatesOther parties
69
Various candidatesOther parties
2.86%
Margin
-145
Margin
-6.00%
Total votes cast
2,418
Washoe
Washoe
County
Washoe
Barack ObamaDemocratic
99,671
Barack ObamaDemocratic
55.25%
John McCainRepublican
76,880
John McCainRepublican
42.61%
Various candidatesOther parties
3,863
Various candidatesOther parties
2.14%
Margin
22,791
Margin
12.64%
Total votes cast
180,414
White Pine
White Pine
County
White Pine
Barack ObamaDemocratic
1,230
Barack ObamaDemocratic
32.01%
John McCainRepublican
2,440
John McCainRepublican
63.51%
Various candidatesOther parties
172
Various candidatesOther parties
4.48%
Margin
-1,210
Margin
-31.50%
Total votes cast
3,842
Totals
Totals
County
Totals
Barack ObamaDemocratic
533,736
Barack ObamaDemocratic
55.15%
John McCainRepublican
412,827
John McCainRepublican
42.65%
Various candidatesOther parties
21,285
Various candidatesOther parties
2.20%
Margin
120,909
Margin
12.50%
Total votes cast
967,848
County
Barack ObamaDemocratic
John McCainRepublican
Various candidatesOther parties
Margin
Total votes cast
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
Carson City
11,623
49.08%
11,419
48.22%
638
2.70%
204
0.86%
23,680
Churchill
3,494
32.95%
6,832
64.42%
279
2.63%
-3,338
-31.47%
10,605
Clark
380,765
58.47%
257,078
39.48%
13,329
2.05%
123,687
18.99%
651,172
Douglas
10,672
41.20%
14,648
56.55%
584
2.25%
-3,976
-15.35%
25,904
Elko
4,541
28.35%
10,969
68.47%
509
3.18%
-6,428
-40.12%
16,019
Esmeralda
104
23.69%
303
69.02%
32
7.29%
-199
-45.33%
439
Eureka
144
19.33%
564
75.70%
37
4.97%
-420
-56.37%
745
Humboldt
1,909
33.70%
3,586
63.31%
169
2.99%
-1,677
-29.61%
5,664
Lander
577
27.45%
1,466
69.74%
59
2.81%
-889
-42.29%
2,102
Lincoln
518
24.58%
1,498
71.10%
91
4.32%
-980
-46.52%
2,107
Lyon
8,405
39.83%
12,154
57.59%
544
2.58%
-3,749
-17.76%
21,103
Mineral
1,082
46.90%
1,131
49.02%
94
4.08%
-49
-2.12%
2,307
Nye
7,226
41.31%
9,537
54.53%
728
4.16%
-2,311
-13.22%
17,491
Pershing
673
36.66%
1,075
58.55%
88
4.79%
-402
-21.89%
1,836
Storey
1,102
45.57%
1,247
51.57%
69
2.86%
-145
-6.00%
2,418
Washoe
99,671
55.25%
76,880
42.61%
3,863
2.14%
22,791
12.64%
180,414
White Pine
1,230
32.01%
2,440
63.51%
172
4.48%
-1,210
-31.50%
3,842
Totals
533,736
55.15%
412,827
42.65%
21,285
2.20%
120,909
12.50%
967,848
· Results › By congressional district
1st
1st
District
1st
McCain
34.25%
Obama
63.68%
Representative
Shelley Berkley
2nd
2nd
District
2nd
McCain
48.79%
Obama
48.76%
Representative
Dean Heller
3rd
3rd
District
3rd
McCain
42.59%
Obama
55.35%
Representative
Jon Porter (110th Congress)
Dina Titus (111th Congress)
Dina Titus (111th Congress)
District
Dina Titus (111th Congress)
District
McCain
Obama
Representative
1st
34.25%
63.68%
Shelley Berkley
2nd
48.79%
48.76%
Dean Heller
3rd
42.59%
55.35%
Jon Porter (110th Congress)
Dina Titus (111th Congress)

References

  1. Vote 2008 – The Takeaway – Track the Electoral College vote predictions Archived April 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
    http://vote2008.thetakeaway.org/2008/09/20/track-the-electoral-college-vote-predictions/
  2. "D.C.'s Political Report: The complete source for campaign summaries"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090101161206/http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/Predictions.html
  3. "Presidential"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003043/http://cookpolitical.com/presidential
  4. "Vote 2008 – The Takeaway – Track the Electoral College vote predictions"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090422070127/http://vote2008.thetakeaway.org/2008/09/20/track-the-electoral-college-vote-predictions/
  5. electoral-vote.com
    https://electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Pres/Maps/Dec31.html
  6. Based on Takeaway
  7. www.politico.com
    https://www.politico.com/convention/swingstate.html
  8. "RealClearPolitics – Electoral Map"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080605003612/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/?map=5
  9. CQ Politics
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090614004022/http://innovation.cq.com/prezMap08
  10. The New York Times
    https://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/whos-ahead/key-states/map.html?scp=1&sq=electoral%20college%20map&st=cse
  11. CNN
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100619013250/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/
  12. Fox News
    http://www.foxnews.com/oreilly/winning-the-electoral-college/
  13. hosted.ap.org
    http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/campaign_plus/roadto270/
  14. www.rasmussenreports.com
    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/election_2008_electoral_college_update
  15. "Election 2008 Polls – Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections"
    http://uselectionatlas.org/POLLS/PRESIDENT/2008/pollsa.php?fips=32
  16. "Presidential Campaign Finance"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090324090038/http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/MapAppState.do?stateName=NV&cand_id=P00000001
  17. CNN
    http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/map/ad.spending/
  18. CNN
    http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/map/candidate.visits/
  19. "RealClearPolitics – Election 2008 – Nevada"
    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nv/nevada_mccain_vs_obama-252.html
  20. "CNN Election Center 2008 – Nevada Results"
    http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapPNV
  21. Sean Trende
    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/01/election_review_part_3_the_wes.html
  22. Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catho
    http://www.americamagazine.org/content/unconventional-wisdom/how-red-and-blue-map-evolved-over-past-century
  23. Counting the Votes; Nevada
    https://web.archive.org/web/20161231170405/http://www.countingthevotes.com/nevada
  24. "Electoral College"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20081030041546/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_ec.htm
  25. Reno Gazette Journal [dead link]
    http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881215045
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