1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election was the closest statewide race in Minnesota history and one of the closest gubernatorial elections in U.S. history. The election was held on November 6, 1962, but the results were not known until March 21, 1963. The vote count after election day had Governor Elmer L. Andersen in the lead by 142 votes. Then-Lieutenant Governor Karl Rolvaag went to court and won the right to a recount.[1] After the recount, it was determined that Rolvaag had defeated Andersen by 91 votes out of over 1.2 million cast. He received 619,842 votes to Andersen's 619,751.

1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1960 November 6, 1962 1966 →
 
Nominee Karl Rolvaag Elmer Andersen
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 619,842 619,751
Percentage 49.713% 49.706%

County results

Rolvaag:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Andersen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Elmer Andersen
Republican

Elected Governor

Karl Rolvaag
Democratic (DFL)

At the time, governors and lieutenant governors were elected on separate ballots. Andersen was a Republican and Rolvaag a Democrat. The 1962 election was also the first four-year term election for Minnesota governor.

Results

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1962 Gubernatorial Election, Minnesota
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Karl Rolvaag 619,842 49.71% +0.63%
Republican Elmer Andersen (incumbent) 619,751 49.71% −0.85%
Industrial Government William Braatz 7,234 0.58% +0.22%
Majority 91 0.01%
Turnout 1,246,827
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican Swing

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gillmore, Susan (January 13, 2005). "Minnesota had an even closer race in '62". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
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