Florida has a particularly unique history in its preference for presidential candidates. No states have particularly similar voting records to Florida. However, it often votes for the eventual winner of the presidential election. Of the five states with the most similar voting records in presidential elections, three are in the Southeast region, while two others are located in the Midwest.
5 States with similar presidential preferences to Florida
- Ohio and Florida have voted for the same presidential candidates in every election since 1960, with the exception of the 1992 election. Ohio ended up voting for Bill Clinton, while Florida voted for George H. W. Bush. However, in 1996 both states voted to reelect Clinton. Both states have relatively similar demographics to the overall country.
- North Carolina tends to vote for Republican candidates more often than Florida. Still, both states voted for Barack Obama in 2008. However, in 2012 North Carolina preferred Mitt Romney instead. Even in elections where the Republican won in Florida, it generally has been by a smaller margin than in North Carolina.
- Indiana is another Midwestern state on this list. It is one of the most reliably Republican states. Still, like Florida it voted for Barack Obama in 2008 as well as Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Both states voted for Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush twice.
- Kentucky is a Southern state that borders the Midwest so it makes sense that it makes this list. Kentucky and Florida have voted for the same presidential candidates in all but three elections since 1960. Kentucky voted for Bill Clinton in 1992, but in the 2008 and 2012 elections the state voted for the Republican candidate, while Florida preferred Barack Obama.
- Virginia has been preferring Democratic candidates in recent years. However, in the past, the state voted similarly to Florida. Population growth in the DC metro area changed the states demographics. In fact in 1996 and 1976 Virginia voted for the Republican candidate, while Florida preferred the Democratic candidate.
5 States with least similar presidential preferences to Florida
Florida Presidential Voting History
2020: Donald Trump (R)
2016: Donald Trump (R)
2012: Barack Obama (D)
2008: Barack Obama (D)
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: Jimmy Carter (D)
1972: Richard Nixon (R)
1968: Richard Nixon (R)
1964: Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
1960: Richard Nixon (R)