The data shows that Pennsylvania tends to have similar presidential preferences with other states in the Northeast region and the Great Lakes region, although Indiana is one exception. The state typically votes for Democratic candidates in close elections, but Republicans have won the state many times as well.
5 States with similar presidential preferences to Pennsylvania
- Michigan and Pennsylvania voted for the same presidential candidates in every presidential election since 1944. The only exception was in 1976, when Michigan voted for Gerald Ford instead of Jimmy Carter. Gerald Ford’s home state was Michigan so this likely had a big effect on the voting. Both states have large populations of working-class voters, particularly in post-industrial areas. They tend to favor the Democratic Party.
- Delaware is on Pennsylvania’s southern border. Since 1960, the state only voted differently from Pennsylvania in the 1968 and 2016 elections. However, the Democratic Party is more dominant in Delaware nowadays. The states have relatively similar demographics so it is no surprise their voting preferences are similar.
- New York is on Pennsylvania’s northern border. Since 1960, the state only voted differently from Pennsylvania in the 1988 and 2016 elections. Both Pennsylvania and New York have large, influential urban populations. These urban centers lean heavily Democratic due to their diverse populations and progressive values.
- Maryland is another state on Pennsylvania’s southern border. Since 1960, the state only voted differently from Pennsylvania in the 1980 and 2016 elections. In both states, suburban areas around major cities—such as the Philadelphia suburbs and the Washington, D.C. suburbs —have been shifting toward the Democratic Party.
- Connecticut is another state that borders the Atlantic Ocean on this list. Since 1960, the state only voted differently from Pennsylvania in the 1976 and 2016 elections. Both states have a long history of labor union activism. Union influence helps drive support for Democratic candidates in both states.
5 States with least similar presidential preferences to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Presidential Voting History
2020: Joe Biden (D)
2016: Donald Trump (R)
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: Jimmy Carter (D)
1972: Richard Nixon (R)
1968: Hubert Humphrey (D)
1964: Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
1960: John F. Kennedy (D)