Which election had the most swing states?

[twenty42]

I'd probably say 1976 looking back on it. I saw one old newspaper clipping from Election Day that said Carter had 144 EV's nailed down to Ford's 95, and the rest were up for grabs. What a night that must've been going into it.

2000 had quite a few as well, according to YouTube videos of Election Night. Most networks had WA, OR, ME, KY, TN, WV, MO, and AR as swing states in addition to the usual battlegrounds.

I am pretty sure 2012 had the least, on the other hand.

[catographer]

Close/swing states by year (states decided by margin <5 percentage points)

2016: 11
2012: 4
2008: 6
2004: 11
2000: 12
1996: 11
1992: 17

[Interlocutor is just not there yet]

In 1948, 18 states & half of the electoral votes were decided by less than 5%. That would be my pick (With 1960 a close second)

[Arbitrage1980]

In 1948, 18 states & half of the electoral votes were decided by less than 5%. That would be my pick (With 1960 a close second)

1960 had 20 states decided by a margin of less than 5%, with 6 being decided by a margin of less than 1%. Amazingly, Nixon won his home state of California by just 0.55%. Ridiculous election.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

1976 had 20 states closer than a 5 point margin. Only 10 states had more than a 15 point margin.