1980 Icelandic presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Iceland on 29 June 1980. The result was a victory for Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who received 34% of the vote. She became the world's first democratically elected female president.

1980 Icelandic presidential election

29 June 1980

Nominee Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Guðlaugur Þorvaldsson Popular vote 43,611 41,700 Percentage 33.79% 32.31%   Nominee Albert Guðmundsson Pétur J. Thorsteinsson Popular vote 25,599 18,139 Percentage 19.84% 14.06%

President before election Kristján Eldjárn Elected President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir

Electoral system

The President of Iceland is elected in one round by first-past-the-post voting.

Results

Candidate	Votes	%
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir	43,611	33.79
Guðlaugur Þorvaldsson	41,700	32.31
Albert Guðmundsson	25,599	19.84
Pétur J. Thorsteinsson	18,139	14.06
Total	129,049	100.00
Valid votes	129,049	99.58
Invalid/blank votes	546	0.42
Total votes	129,595	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	143,196	90.50
Source: Nohlen & Stöver