States with similar presidential preferences to Texas

In the past, Democrats John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Jimmy Carter won the electoral votes of Texas. However, starting in 1980, Republican presidential candidates have been heavily preferred in Texas. The five states with the most similar voting records are also located in the Southern portion of the country.

5 States with similar presidential preferences to Texas

1. North Carolina and Texas, despite not bordering each other, have only voted differently in two presidential elections since 1960. In 2008, Obama won North Carolina, unlike in Texas. Also in 1968, Richard Nixon won North Carolina, but Hubert Humphrey won Texas.
2. South Carolina and Texas have also voted extremely similarly, in fact they have voted for the same presidential candidates since 1972. However, Texas voted for a Democrat in both 1964 and 1968, while South Carolina voted for Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon.
3. Oklahoma is on the northern border of Texas, so it makes sense that it is on this list. However, Oklahoma has voted for Democrats less often than Texas. Since 1960, Lyndon B. Johnson is the only Democratic candidate for President that has won Oklahoma.
4. Alabama is another Southern state that has a similar voting record to Texas. The biggest differences were in 1960, 1964, and 1968. Many people in Alabama did not like the new civil rights laws, so they ended up voting for Republicans and Segregationist candidates.
5. Mississippi borders Alabama. As with Alabama, Texas and Mississippi voted for the same presidential candidates since 1972. However, George Wallace won in 1968, while Barry Goldwater won in 1964 and Harry Byrd won in 1960.

5 States with least similar presidential preferences to Texas

1. Oregon
2. Minnesota
3. Vermont
4. Massachusetts
5. Rhode Island

Texas Presidential Voting History

2020: Donald Trump (R)
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: 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: Hubert Humphrey (D)
1964: Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
1960: John F. Kennedy (D)