Results of the 1960 Election(1)
| Popular Votes | Electoral Votes | |
| First | Method |
|
| Kennedy | 34,220,984 | 303 |
| Nixon | 34,108,157 | 219 |
| Byrd | 638,222 | 15(2) |
| Minor Parties | 188,559 | 0 |
| Total | 69,155,922 | 537 |
| Kennedy is a
Plurality more votes |
winner; 112,827 |
|
| Second | Method |
|
| Kennedy | 34,049,976 | 303 |
| Nixon | 34,108,157 | 219 |
| Byrd | 491,527 | 15 |
| Minor Parties | 188,559 | 0 |
| Total | 68,838,219 | 537 |
| Nixon is a
Plurality more votes |
winner; 58,181 |
First Method: involves
counting the split Alabama elector slate for both Kennedy and unpledged electors as
Kennedy votes; this was, in fact, what happened.
Second Method: involves dividing the vote for the Alabama Democratic elector slate proportionately according to its actual composition. A vote for JFK was his; not for JFK does not go to his vote total.
1. Lawrence D. Longley and Neal R. Pierce, (1996) "The Electoral College Primer" Yale University Press, New Haven, p. 49.
2. Byrd was accorded the votes of 14 unpledged electors from Alabama and Mississippi, plus one vote by a Republican elector from Oklahoma.