In 1968, Florida became a microcosm of a deeply divided American electorate and political landscape.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 1968 presidential race was defined by intense national turmoil and a three-way contest that reshaped Florida's political map. While Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and George Wallace vied for the presidency, Florida's regional voting patterns revealed a state fractured by shifting demographics, civil rights tensions, and competing visions for America.

The 1968 election unfolded during a period of profound national instability, marked by the Vietnam War and the tragic killings of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. While Humphrey struggled to overcome protests and internal party divisions, Nixon maintained a disciplined campaign, often retreating to his home in Key Biscayne, Florida, to recharge.

Florida's political identity was in flux during this era. Historically a Democratic stronghold, the state began to see a shift as northern migrants settled in Central Florida, bringing Republican voting habits with them. By 1968, the state's geography dictated the candidates' support bases: Nixon found strength in Central Florida, Humphrey drew support from the southern regions, and Wallace captured the Florida Panhandle. This regional split reflected broader national anxieties regarding the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the changing priorities of the American electorate.

Nationally, the election was a tight contest that saw Nixon secure 302 electoral votes, though one elector famously defected to Wallace. Humphrey trailed with 191 votes, while Wallace, running as an Independent, captured 45 electoral votes and roughly 13.5 percent of the popular vote. The Republican victory was narrow, representing the second-smallest margin in 76 years. Despite the presidential win, the Democrats retained control of both houses of Congress, a rare outcome that left Nixon as the first president since 1848 to face an opposition-led legislature at the start of his term.

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