The Path to 270: How Swing States Shape The Presidential Election

Sep 8

5 min read

Key takeaways

• Swing states are critical in determining the outcome of U.S. presidential elections.

• The path to 270 electoral votes hinges on winning key swing states.

• Candidates prioritize swing states to sway the undecided electorate

In the realm of American politics, few terms carry as much weight as "swing states". Sometimes called battleground states they are often unpredictable in their voting patterns, hold significant sway in determining the outcome of presidential elections.

How does the electoral college work?

Electoral college map — Results from the 2020 presidential election in the United States with the electoral votes by state.

In the Electoral College system, each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its population. Every state gets two votes for its two U.S. Senators, and one vote for each member of the House of Representatives. This means that populous states like California (54 votes) and Texas (40 votes) have a larger number of electoral votes, while smaller states like Wyoming and Alaska have just 3 votes each.

When voters cast their ballots in a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to that candidate. In most states, it’s a winner-takes-all system: the candidate who wins the most votes in a state wins all of its electoral votes. Maine and Nebraska are the only exceptions, where electoral votes can be split between candidates based on congressional districts.

The candidate who receives 270 or more electoral votes—a simple majority—wins the presidency. This system means that while the national popular vote reflects the total number of individual votes across the country, it is the electoral vote count that ultimately decides the election outcome.

Why was the electoral college created?

Image of the Founding Fathers debating how presidents should be elected. — There were debates about whether the president should be elected by Congress, by state legislatures, or directly by the people. The Electoral College was designed to balance the interests of states with varying populations, giving both large and small states a voice in the election process.

The Electoral College was established by the framers of the Constitution as a compromise between electing the president by popular vote and having Congress choose the president. The goal was to balance the influence of small and large states, and to ensure that regional candidates couldn’t dominate without broad national support. Critics argue that the system can dilute the power of individual voters in non-competitive states, while defenders believe it ensures attention to less populous regions.

What is a swing state?

Citizens on a line waiting to vote in an election — Battleground states determine who will be the next president of the United States.

The definition of a swing state, also known as battleground state, is a unique feature of the American electoral system. They are states where the Republican and Democratic parties have similar levels of support among voters. This makes the outcome of the vote uncertain and highly competitive.

The term "swing" refers to the ability of these states to swing between the two major parties. In one election, a swing state might lean towards the Democrats, while in the next, it could favor the GOP. This unpredictability is what makes them so crucial in elections.

Swing states are not constant. They can change over time due to demographic shifts, changes in political sentiment, or other factors. The number of swing states varies from election to election. However, some states like Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have consistently been swing states in recent elections. These states often become the focus of intense campaign efforts.

Understanding swing states is key to understanding American politics. Their influence extends beyond the electoral votes they represent, shaping national policy and discourse.

Red state, blue state & purple state

Voter casting a ballot on election day — Red, Blue and Purple define the political landscape of the U.S. and are crucial for understanding how presidential elections are strategized and won.

In American politics, red states refer to states that typically vote for the Republican Party in presidential and statewide elections, while blue states consistently vote for the Democratic Party. These color designations have become a shorthand for describing the political leanings of regions in the U.S., with red states often reflecting more conservative values and blue states aligning with liberal or progressive policies. A purple state, also known as a swing state or battleground state, is one where neither party has a dominant influence, making it highly competitive in elections. Purple states are crucial in deciding election outcomes, as their voters can swing either way depending on the candidates and issues at play. Georgia is an example of a purple state from the 2020 presidential election.

Identifying these battleground states for the upcoming 2024 elections involves analyzing several factors. Demographic shifts, such as changes in population age, race, and education levels, voting patterns and political climate can also influence a state's swing status or color. Understanding these criteria is crucial for predicting the potential swing states in 2024.

How Swing States Changed Over The Years

Ohio and Iowa

Once considered critical swing states, these have become more reliably Republican in recent cycles. Both were important battlegrounds in the 2000s and 2010s but have trended more red.

Colorado and Virginia

Former swing states in the early 2000s, these have shifted toward Democrats due to urban and suburban growth, making them less competitive in recent cycles.

Florida

Although still considered a swing state, Florida has leaned Republican in the last few elections and may not be as competitive in 2024.

Texas

While Texas remains Republican, it has shown signs of becoming more competitive due to population growth in urban centers like Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

The path to 270 in 2024

As we head into the 2024 election, the path to 270 electoral votes will likely hinge on the same swing states that have been crucial in recent elections. While some traditionally blue states, like Colorado and Virginia, have become more reliably Democratic, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada are emerging as pivotal battleground states.

The map of swing states has shifted in response to demographic changes, urbanization, and political realignments, making the 2024 election landscape notably different from that of 20 years ago. Here are some key swing states to watch in 2024:

Georgia (16 electoral votes)

Flipped Democratic in 2020 for the first time since 1992, driven by growing urban areas like Atlanta and increased voter turnout among Black and young voters.

Arizona (11 electoral votes):

Flipped to Democratic in 2020 due to demographic changes, particularly in Maricopa County, and shifts in suburban voters.

Wisconsin (10 electoral votes):

A key Rust Belt state that has oscillated between parties in recent elections, critical for both parties’ paths to victory.

Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes):

Traditionally a bellwether, Pennsylvania remains a must-win state for both parties with competitive urban-rural divides.

Michigan (15 electoral votes):

Flipped back to Democrats in 2020 after narrowly supporting Trump in 2016, driven by urban voters in Detroit and surrounding areas.

Nevada (6 electoral votes):

Long a battleground due to its diverse population, including strong union representation, Nevada continues to play a crucial role in national elections.

North Carolina (16 electoral votes):

Although leaning Republican in recent cycles, North Carolina remains competitive due to its large metropolitan areas and demographic changes.

The role of independent voters and voter turnout

Voter casting a vote in a swing state — Voter registration trends reflect shifts in political preferences, demographic changes, and the mobilization efforts of political parties.

Independent voters often hold the key to swing state outcomes. They are not affiliated with any major political party and their voting preferences can be unpredictable.

High voter turnout in swing states can significantly influence the election results. This is because a larger voter base can lead to more diverse opinions and potentially shift the balance.

Efforts to increase voter turnout, such as voter registration drives and early voting initiatives, are therefore crucial. They can help ensure that the voice of the swing state population is accurately represented in the election outcome. Unfortunately there are also efforts to slow down voter registration like the efforts of Texas AG Paxton who is seeking to stop efforts of counties who lean Democrat to drive voter registration.

Conclusion: The future of swing states and their role in american politics

Casting a vote on election day — The path to 270 electoral votes is the key to winning the U.S. presidency, and swing states are critical in this process because they can shift the balance of power between candidates.

The Electoral College ensures that presidential elections are not just a race for the popular vote, but a strategic battle for electoral votes. As a result, a few swing states, with their competitive mix of voters, often decide the election. In 2024, the candidates’ path to 270 will once again run through battleground states like Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Whether they can win these swing states will depend on their ability to connect with voters on key local issues and effectively mobilize turnout in these critical regions.