The data shows that Georgia has a unique history in its preference for presidential candidates. As a result, no states have particularly similar voting records to it. It has switched back in forth between favoring the Republican Party and favoring the Democratic Party. The five states with the most similar preferences are located in the South.
5 States with similar presidential preferences to Georgia
- Alabama is on Georgia’s western border. The state has voted for Republicans more often than Georgia. Still since 1960, they have not voted for the same candidate just three times. Bill Clinton and Joe Biden were able to win Georgia, unlike Alabama. Furthermore, since Jimmy Carter was from Georgia, he had the home state advantage against Reagan.
- Louisiana is another state in the Deep South that borders the Gulf of Mexico on this list. In fact, Georgia and Louisiana voted for different presidential candidates just three times since 1960. Bill Clinton won Louisiana twice, but he only won Georgia in 1992.
- South Carolina is on Georgia’s eastern border. Georgia and South Carolina preferred the same presidential candidates in 12 out of the last 16 contests. One difference is that in 1968, South Carolina did not vote for George Wallace and instead voted for the Republican candidate, Richard Nixon.
- Mississippi and Alabama have voted for extremely similar candidates in presidential elections. In 12 out of the last 16 contests, Georgia and Mississippi have preferred the same candidate for president.
- Arkansas, unlike the other states on this list, is a landlocked. Since 1992, these states have voted for the same presidential candidates. Since 1960, they have only disagreed on the presidential candidate with Georgia four times.
5 States with least similar presidential preferences to Georgia
Georgia 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: Bob Dole (R)
1992: Bill Clinton (D)
1988: George H.W. Bush (R)
1984: Ronald Reagan (R)
1980: Jimmy Carter (D)
1976: Jimmy Carter (D)
1972: Richard Nixon (R)
1968: George Wallace (I)
1964: Barry Goldwater (R)
1960: John F. Kennedy (D)