In US presidential election history, especially in close presidential races, the outcome has generally been decided by “swing” or “purple” states. In these states, the victory of one party/candidate is not easily predicted by history, as the popular vote in the state shifts based on the candidate.
The term “purples” comes from the color that is obtained by combining the colors red, from the republican party, and blue, from the democrat party. These states are usually very heterogeneous in different aspects and that makes the balance tilt towards one or the other depending on the circumstances prior to the elections and the level of voting participation of their citizens.
The US electoral system is based on an indirect election, which means that voters elect delegates who are in charge of choosing the president through a process called the Electoral College. This system can result in a candidate winning the popular vote (garnering the most overall votes) but still losing the election if they did not win the most delegates in the Electoral College.
Some states have more or less influence in determining the outcome of an election, depending on the number of delegates they have and how clearly the political orientation in each state is. There are seven “swing” or “purple” states in which the prevailing ideology is generally unknown, and it is stated that these states will help decide the winner of the November presidential election. These states are:
The state of Florida has 55 electors and is considered the jewel in the electoral crown. The number of electors who belong to that state can greatly influence the balance. This state does not have an obvious preference, and therefore, it is crucial in defining the race.
With 15 electors, this state has historically been paramount in defining the winner. In 2008, the state gave victory to former President Barack Obama, however, it has recently become a largely republican state.
With an undefined political ideology, the 11 electors of this state are one of the biggest uncertainties in a presidential race. This state is also home to an increasingly powerful Latino base that is beginning to claim its political strength.
This state has 18 electors and is known as “the swing state” because sometimes it is predominantly democratic, while at other times it is republican. The achievement of victory in this state often goes hand in hand with its neighboring states, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
It has 16 electors; the data give a clear tie between the candidates. Both candidates hope to obtain 47% of the votes in the 2020 election.
Despite having only 6 electors, it turns out to be one of the biggest mysteries in a presidential race. Until recently, it had always appeared to be democratic state, but in recent studies, it gives the victory to the republican party.
With 16 electors, the state of Michigan has traditionally been a democratic state, but in 2016, it began to show a republican ideology, becoming a decisive state.
In these seven states, the candidates compete for 137 electors out of the total 538 electors in the Electoral College, which will help determine the president to lead the United States for the next four years.
With this political scenario in mind, NHCOA calls on all Latinxs, who are eligible to vote to do so, regardless of the state you live in. Together, we can help decide the next president on November 3rd. The decision must be informed and with our communities’ best interest in mind. Regardless of what state you live in, your vote matters!
Sources:
France 24
https://www.france24.com/es/20201006-estados-pendulo-purpura-elecciones-presidenciales-estados-unidos
El Periódico
https://www.elperiodico.com/es/internacional/20201014/elecciones-eeuu-2020-estados-clave-8143662
