Bunker USA: Swing both ways - The states that will decide the 2024 election
Sep 23, 2023
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Kyle Kondik, author of 'The Bellwether: Why Ohio Picks the president', discusses the changing landscape of bellwether states in the upcoming 2024 election. Both Trump and Biden will need to win over voters with unfavorable views, who will likely decide the next election. It is important for both candidates to tell a story that defines their battle ground. The podcast sheds light on the dynamics of US elections and the profile of middle voters, emphasizing the importance of socially conservative and economically liberal/moderate voters that were drawn to Trump.
Bellwether states for predicting presidential elections are shifting due to changing demographics and voting patterns.
Cross-pressured voters with negative views of both major party candidates hold the power to decide the next election.
Deep dives
The concept of Bellwether states
Bellwether states are defined as states that not only vote for the winning presidential candidate often or always but also closely reflect the national popular vote. While historically states like Ohio and Michigan were considered Bellwether states, this trend has shifted in recent years. Ohio lost its Bellwether status after the 2016 election, and currently, there isn't a clear Bellwether state for the upcoming election. The demographics and voting patterns have been changing, reflecting the competitive and unpredictable nature of recent elections.
Shifts in Bellwether states over time
Throughout American history, the Bellwether states have seen shifts in their voting patterns. After the Civil War, the North and South had distinct voting tendencies, with key battleground states like Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri acting as Bellwether states. In recent years, Illinois and Missouri shifted away from their Bellwether status due to demographic changes and urban-rural divides. Ohio also lost its Bellwether label after Trump became the Republican nominee, and white voters without a college degree leaned more Republican. The changing demographics and political landscape have contributed to the evolving nature of Bellwether states.
Current status and future of Bellwether states
As of now, there isn't a strong Bellwether state for predicting the outcome of future elections. Michigan is considered the closest to a Bellwether state for the upcoming election, but overall, the concept of Bellwether states has become less reliable. In recent elections, key states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin in the industrial North, and Arizona, Georgia, Nevada in the Sun Belt have played crucial roles in deciding the election. The competitiveness of elections and the presence of cross-pressured voters who hold negative views of both major party candidates add to the uncertainty of the electoral landscape.
Bellwether and swing states are often the battlegrounds upon which the US presidential race is won. Historically, Ohio has been one of the most important - but that is changing. So which states matter the most for the upcoming 2024 election? And how will Trump or Biden (or anyone else) win them over? Kyle Kondik is the Author of ‘The Bellwether: Why Ohio Picks the president”. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker.
“We’re seeing a shift in the key states in the electoral college, partially due to Trump.” - Kyle Kondik.
“Both Trump and Biden have over 50% unfavorability, these voters tend to skew to the right but were not a fan of what happened on January 6th. These voters are likely to decide the next election” - Kyle Kondik.
“Both Biden and Trump’s ability to tell a story defines the ground they are battling over” - Alex Andreou.
Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn . Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production