Part 1: Presidential Election Results
Mississippi
| Year | Presidential Candidate | Political Party | Electoral Votes | Margin of Victory (in percentages) | Difference between Republican and Democrat % for the state | |------|------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 2020 | Donald Trump | Republican | 6 | +20.7% | Rep: 57.4%, Dem: 36.7% | | 2016 | Donald Trump | Republican | 6 | +17.5% | Rep: 58.5%, Dem: 41% | | 2012 | Barack Obama | Democrat | 0 | -10.2% | Rep: 55.4%, Dem: 45.2% | | 2008 | Barack Obama | Democrat | 0 | -13.6% | Rep: 56.6%, Dem: 43% | | 2004 | George W. Bush | Republican | 6 | +20% | Rep: 59%, Dem: 39% | | 2000 | George W. Bush | Republican | 6 | +5.4% | Rep: 57.1%, Dem: 51.7% |
New Jersey
| Year | Presidential Candidate | Political Party | Electoral Votes | Margin of Victory (in percentages) | Difference between Republican and Democrat % for the state | |------|------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 2020 | Joe Biden | Democrat | 14 | +16.5% | Dem: 57.3%, Rep: 40.8% | | 2016 | Hillary Clinton | Democrat | 14 | +14% | Dem: 55.4%, Rep: 41.4% | | 2012 | Barack Obama | Democrat | 14 | +17.8% | Dem: 58.2%, Rep: 39.4% | | 2008 | Barack Obama | Democrat | 15 | +15.5% | Dem: 57.2%, Rep: 41.7% | | 2004 | John Kerry | Democrat | 15 | +6% | Dem: 49.5%, Rep: 43.5% | | 2000 | Al Gore | Democrat | 15 | +0.2% | Dem: 51.3%, Rep: 51.1% |
Part 2: Election Results Analysis
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Are your states similar in their voting patterns or different? Did the same political party win both of your states each election? Why do you think that’s the case or not the case?
Mississippi and New Jersey have significantly different voting patterns in presidential elections. Mississippi is a stronghold for the Republican Party, consistently voting for Republican candidates in every election from 2000 to 2020. In contrast, New Jersey has leaned towards the Democratic Party, with Democrats winning in every presidential election during the same period, except for 2004 when John Kerry was very close to winning but still lost.
The differences in voting behavior can be attributed to a variety of factors, including demographic, economic, and cultural differences between the states. Mississippi has a higher percentage of rural areas and lower income levels on average, which may correlate with stronger support for conservative policies and Republican candidates. Conversely, New Jersey has a higher population density, a more diverse demographic, and has traditionally aligned with policies that are more progressive, which could explain its consistent support for the Democratic Party. These sociopolitical and economic factors deeply influence voter preferences and party affiliation in the states.