Elections / 1988 · President · MA
Massachusetts — 1988 presidential election
Recent presidential results
Akashicstate1988 presidential electionMassachusetts · PresidentDukakisD+7.9
How it voted
Share of the 1988 vote
| Michael Dukakis ✓Democratic | 53.2% | 1,401,415 |
|---|---|---|
| George H. W. BushRepublican | 45.4% | 1,194,635 |
| OtherAll other candidates | 1.4% | 36,755 |
1988presidential margin
D+60R+60
14 counties, each filled by 1988 D-vs-R margin. Hover any county for its result.
Massachusetts cast 13 electoral votes this cycle.
County-level results (14 counties) — table
| County | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable County, MA | Republican | R+0.9 |
| Berkshire County, MA | Democratic | D+22.4 |
| Bristol County, MA | Democratic | D+12.4 |
| Dukes County, MA | Democratic | D+29.2 |
| Essex County, MA | Democratic | D+1.0 |
| Franklin County, MA | Democratic | D+17.6 |
| Hampden County, MA | Democratic | D+13.0 |
| Hampshire County, MA | Democratic | D+23.9 |
| Middlesex County, MA | Democratic | D+10.7 |
| Nantucket County, MA | Democratic | D+19.8 |
| Norfolk County, MA | Democratic | D+3.2 |
| Plymouth County, MA | Republican | R+10.9 |
| Suffolk County, MA | Democratic | D+29.7 |
| Worcester County, MA | Republican | R+2.3 |
Nominees: Michael Dukakis (D) · George H. W. Bush (R)
Massachusetts's presidential margins
1892–2024, the 1988 contest in context
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1892 | −6.6% |
| 1896 | −43.1% |
| 1900 | −19.7% |
| 1904 | −20.7% |
| 1908 | −24.2% |
| 1912 | +3.6% |
| 1916 | −3.9% |
| 1920 | −40.7% |
| 1924 | −37.3% |
| 1928 | +1.1% |
| 1932 | +4.0% |
| 1936 | +9.5% |
| 1940 | +6.7% |
| 1944 | +5.8% |
| 1948 | +11.5% |
| 1952 | −8.8% |
| 1956 | −18.9% |
| 1960 | +20.7% |
| 1964 | +52.7% |
| 1968 | +30.1% |
| 1972 | +9.0% |
| 1976 | +15.7% |
| 1980 | −0.2% |
| 1984 | −2.8% |
| 1988 | +7.9% |
| 1992 | +18.5% |
| 1996 | +33.4% |
| 2000 | +27.3% |
| 2004 | +25.2% |
| 2008 | +25.8% |
| 2012 | +23.1% |
| 2016 | +26.8% |
| 2020 | +33.2% |
| 2024 | +25.2% |
County-by-county results — 14 counties
| County | Won | Margin | Democratic | Republican | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable County | R | 48,747 | 49,676 | 99,872 | |
| Berkshire County | D | 38,217 | 24,116 | 62,859 | |
| Bristol County | D | 107,854 | 83,797 | 193,530 | |
| Dukes County | D | 4,495 | 2,441 | 7,025 | |
| Essex County | D | 151,816 | 148,614 | 305,500 | |
| Franklin County | D | 19,310 | 13,475 | 33,123 | |
| Hampden County | D | 97,332 | 74,872 | 173,420 | |
| Hampshire County | D | 39,834 | 24,331 | 64,915 | |
| Middlesex County | D | 361,563 | 290,352 | 662,628 | |
| Nantucket County | D | 2,209 | 1,469 | 3,731 | |
| Norfolk County | D | 160,289 | 150,306 | 315,056 | |
| Plymouth County | R | 84,587 | 105,684 | 193,480 | |
| Suffolk County | D | 143,677 | 77,137 | 224,410 | |
| Worcester County | R | 141,485 | 148,365 | 293,256 |
Same ballot, 1988MA
Source. MIT Election Data + Science Lab — 1988 presidential returns · official county-level results. Real returns — nothing estimated.