Wisconsin was won by Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis who was running against incumbent United States Vice President George H. W. Bush of Texas.

The state has since consistently voted for the Democratic Party, until the victory of Republican Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024.

The election was very partisan, with over 99 percent of the electorate voting for either the Republican or Democratic parties, although five additional candidates were on the ballot.

Wisconsin weighed in for this election as 12 points more Democratic than the national average.

It was also the most recent election where Wisconsin and fellow Rust Belt states Michigan and Pennsylvania did not vote for the same candidate.