Despite being located in the Midwest, the five states with the most similar presidential preferences to Illinois are all in other parts of the country. Four are in the Northeast region. In the last two decades, Illinois has voted for Democratic candidates in all presidential elections. The five states with the least similar presidential voting preferences are all located in the South. This is because they used to vote for Democrats but now prefer Republicans. Illinois is the opposite.
5 States with similar presidential preferences to Illinois
- New Jersey and Illinois are not neighbors, but they have voted for the same presidential candidates in every election since 1952. The last time they did not prefer the same ticket was in 1948. In that year New Jersey voted for the Republican Thomas Dewey, while Illinois voted for the Democrat Harry S. Truman.
- California and Illinois have voted for the same candidates in the presidential election since 1920, with the exception of 1960. In that election, Richard Nixon, who represented California, won the state, while John F. Kennedy won Illinois. Since Bill Clinton won in 1992, Democrats have won these states in every election.
- Connecticut is in New England but it has also voted very similarly to Illinois. Since 1960, the states have voted for the same ticket in every election, with the exception of 1968. In that year, Connecticut voted for the Democrat, Hubert Humphrey. In contrast, Illinois voted for Richard Nixon.
- Vermont is another state in New England, although it has vastly different demographics from other states on this list. Vermont and Illinois have voted for the same presidential candidate in every election since 1964. However, in 1960, Vermont preferred Richard Nixon, while Illinois preferred John F. Kennedy.
- Delaware is further south than the other Northeastern states on this list, however it still has voted similarly to Illinois as well. Since 1960, these states have voted for the same presidential ticket in every election, except for the 1976 contest. In that year, Delaware voted for Jimmy Carter, while Illinois voted for Gerald Ford.
5 States with least similar presidential preferences to Illinois
Illinois Presidential Voting History
2024: Kamala Harris (D)
2020: Joe Biden (D)
2016: Hillary Clinton (D)
2012: Barack Obama (D)
2008: Barack Obama (D)
2004: John Kerry (D)
2000: Al Gore (D)
1996: Bill Clinton (D)
1992: Bill Clinton (D)
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: Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
1960: John F. Kennedy (D)