How red or blue is your state?

In American political discourse, states are often labeled “red” for Republican or “blue” for Democratic. These political reputations are shaped by many factors, including voting patterns in national elections, the party affiliations of Governors and Congressional representatives, and state legislation.

While most states are seen as one or the other, some have less predictable political leanings. These states, which could potentially “swing” to either major party in a presidential election, are sometimes called “swing states” or “purple” states.

How have red and blue states voted in presidential elections?

Most states tend to vote consistently for the presidential candidates of one party or the other. In the last nine elections (since 1988), 43 states voted for the same party seven times or more. Twenty of those states, along with Washington, DC, voted for the same party in all nine elections.

Another seven states — Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia — have voted for each party at least three times in those nine elections, making them less consistent by this measure.

Five states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — voted for different parties’ candidates in the last two elections.