US 2008 Presidential Election
United States presidential election held November 2008. Barack Obama defeated John McCain during the global financial crisis.
US 2008 Presidential Election is one of the tracked elections shaping power in United States.
Use This Election As A Bridge
Elections are rarely the endpoint. Move outward into the country, office, and people that give this result meaning.
Country context
Open United States to connect this election to institutions, leadership, and the broader national sequence.
Office at stake
See why President of the United States matters and how it fits into the constitutional structure.
Winner profile
Jump from the result to Barack Obama's political profile, offices, and related entities.
Candidate field
Follow the 2 linked candidates and compare who contested this race.
Election Result
Clear outcome summary for this recorded election.
U.S. Presidential Macro-Region Board
High-level regional outcome preview. Not precinct or county reporting.
Pacific states strongly backed Obama.
The interior West leaned Republican overall.
Great Plains states remained Republican.
Midwestern battlegrounds helped power the Obama coalition.
The Northeast remained Democratic.
Southern states mostly remained Republican, with notable Democratic breakthroughs.
At a Glance
The US 2008 Presidential Election took place in 2008 in United States. The election determined who would hold the office of President of the United States.
Barack Obama won the election with a margin of Obama won the popular vote by about 7.2 points. Voter turnout was reported at 61.6%, giving a sense of how many people took part in the contest. 2 candidates contested the election: Barack Obama and John McCain.
Election Snapshot
- Status
- Recorded
- Election Year
- 2008
- Country
- United States
- Office Contested
- President of the United States
- Winner
- Barack Obama
- Turnout
- 61.6%
- Candidates
- 2
- Linked Offices
- 2
Result Overview
Quick Facts
- Won by Barack Obama
- Voter turnout: 61.6%
- Victory margin: Obama won the popular vote by about 7.2 points
- 2 candidates tracked
Details
- election year
- 2008
- office contested
- President of the United States
Country Context
This election is connected to United States. Use the country page to follow broader institutions, offices, and election history.
Candidates
Politicians directly connected to this election through the graph.
Offices Contested
Offices tied to this election through the office and timeline graph.
President of the United States
Head of state and head of government of the United States. Elected to four-year terms via the Electoral College.
Vice President of the United States
Deputy executive office of the United States. Elected on a joint ticket with the president and first in the presidential line of succession.
Next To Explore
United States
Federal presidential constitutional republic in North America. Power is divided across the presidency, Congress, the states, and the federal courts. National politics is dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, but third parties and independents still shape the broader system.
Barack Obama
44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. Former U.S. senator from Illinois and leader of the Democratic Party.
John McCain
Republican senator from Arizona and 2008 presidential nominee. Prominent foreign policy voice in the Senate.
President of the United States
Head of state and head of government of the United States. Elected to four-year terms via the Electoral College.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who won the US 2008 Presidential Election?
- The US 2008 Presidential Election was won by Barack Obama. Barack Obama ran as the candidate of Democratic Party. The winning margin was Obama won the popular vote by about 7.2 points.
- Who came second in the US 2008 Presidential Election?
- The runner-up in the US 2008 Presidential Election was John McCain. The contest between Barack Obama and John McCain defined the central dynamics of this election.
- What was the voter turnout for the US 2008 Presidential Election?
- Voter turnout for the US 2008 Presidential Election was 61.6%. Turnout levels reflect public engagement with the democratic process and can be influenced by factors such as voter registration requirements, election accessibility, the competitiveness of the race, and public trust in political institutions.
- When did the US 2008 Presidential Election take place?
- The US 2008 Presidential Election took place in 2008. Electoral timing in United States is governed by constitutional requirements and may be influenced by the political circumstances of the moment.
- What offices were contested in the US 2008 Presidential Election?
- The US 2008 Presidential Election determined who would hold the office of President of the United States. The powers and responsibilities of this office make the election significant for the country's governance and policy direction.
- Which country held the US 2008 Presidential Election?
- The US 2008 Presidential Election was held in United States. The country's electoral system, political culture, and institutional framework shaped how the election was conducted and what the results mean for governance.
- Who were the candidates in the US 2008 Presidential Election?
- 2 candidates participated in the US 2008 Presidential Election, including Barack Obama, John McCain. The field of candidates reflects the political landscape and the range of options available to voters.
Connections
Candidates
Offices Contested
President of the United States
Head of state and head of government of the United States. Elected to four-year terms via the Electoral College.
Vice President of the United States
Deputy executive office of the United States. Elected on a joint ticket with the president and first in the presidential line of succession.
Trust & Coverage
- Page Type
- Election dashboard
- Last Updated
- March 21, 2026
- Sources
- Graph-backed
- Data Coverage
- Comprehensive(85/100)
Recorded outcomes appear only where winner and result metadata have been seeded or imported.
Upcoming elections may already show offices and linked candidates before final result data exists.
You Might Also Explore
United States
Federal presidential constitutional republic in North America. Power is divided across the presidency, Congress, the states, and the federal courts. National politics is dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, but third parties and independents still shape the broader system.
Barack Obama
44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. Former U.S. senator from Illinois and leader of the Democratic Party.
John McCain
Republican senator from Arizona and 2008 presidential nominee. Prominent foreign policy voice in the Senate.
President of the United States
Head of state and head of government of the United States. Elected to four-year terms via the Electoral College.
Vice President of the United States
Deputy executive office of the United States. Elected on a joint ticket with the president and first in the presidential line of succession.