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McGrath: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Vanderbilt: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Tie: | |||||||||||||||||
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The1940 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940.Democratic nomineeJ. Howard McGrath defeated incumbentRepublicanWilliam Henry Vanderbilt III with 55.84% of the vote.
Major party candidates
Other candidates
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | J. Howard McGrath | 177,937 | 55.84% | ||
| Republican | William Henry Vanderbilt III (incumbent) | 140,480 | 44.08% | ||
| Communist | Wilfred J. Boissy | 257 | 0.08% | ||
| Majority | 37,457 | ||||
| Turnout | |||||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | Swing | ||||