List from Chapter 10

STATES WITH THE SMALLEST MARGINS BETWEEN THEIR TOP TWO CANDIDATES IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE PAST 100 YEARS (1904-2000)
This list shows exactly why presidential candidates campaign heavily in the "swing states." Literally, just a handful of votes can decide the winner. In 1916, 1960 and 2000, the elections were not just close in their respective states listed but also nationally.

STATE
1. New Hampshire
2. Hawaii
3. California
4. New Mexico
5. Nevada
6. Florida
7. Maryland
8. Missouri
9. Kentucky
10. Wyoming
YEAR
1916
1960
1912
2000
1908
2000
1908
1908
1952
1912
STATE WINNER
Wilson
JFK
T. Roosevelt
Gore
Bryan
G. W. Bush
Taft
Taft
Stevenson
Wilson
STATE LOSER
Hughes
Nixon
Wilson
G. W. Bush
Taft
Gore
Bryan
Bryan
Eisenhower
Taft
VOTE DIFFERENCE
56
115
174
366
437
537
605
629
700
750

Elections were frequently even more tight in the 19th century, partly because there were fewer voters. In 1832, Henry Clay had exactly 4 more votes than Andrew Jackson in Maryland (though he lost big in the national vote count).

For the bonus lists containing election data from 2000, go HERE!

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