In the past, Republican presidential candidates consistently won Arizona by a large margin. However, in recent years, Democrats have become increasingly preferred, so it is somewhat unique. The five states with the most similar presidential voting records to Arizona are all located in the Western region of the United States. These states tend to be sparsely populated and have a lot of farmland.
5 States with similar presidential preferences to Arizona
- Nebraska and Arizona do not border each other, but their presidential preferences have been somewhat similar. In 2020, 1998, and 1964 they preferred different presidential candidates. However, Arizona has been becoming less conservative over time.
- Kansas and Nebraska have preferred the same presidential candidates in all elections since 1960. Therefore it is no surprise that it makes this list as well. One difference is that Gerald Ford won Kansas by a lower percentage than he did in Arizona and Nebraska.
- Wyoming has also voted for the same presidential candidates as Nebraska and Kansas. The only Democrat it voted for in the last 60 years was Lyndon B. Johnson. In that election, Goldwater won Arizona, since he was from the state.
- North Dakota is another rural state in the Great Plains on this list. It is yet another state on this list where a Democrat has only won their electoral votes once in the past 60 years.
- Oklahoma is located to the south of Kansas. Unlike Oklahoma and the rest of the states on this list, Arizona voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Bill Clinton in 1996.
5 States with least similar presidential preferences to Arizona
Arizona Presidential Voting History
2020: Joe Biden (D)
2016: Donald Trump (R)
2012: Mitt Romney (R)
2008: John McCain (R)
2004: George W. Bush (R)
2000: George W. Bush (R)
1996: Bill Clinton (D)
1992: George H.W. Bush (R)
1988: George H.W. Bush (R)
1984: Ronald Reagan (R)
1980: Ronald Reagan (R)
1976: Gerald Ford (R)
1972: Richard Nixon (R)
1968: Richard Nixon (R)
1964: Barry Goldwater (R)
1960: Richard Nixon (R)