The only place in the United States that has never voted Republican

Every four years, America’s electoral map seems to shrink as the number of swing states slowly declines.

This year there are only seven states – Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin – where both candidates have a realistic chance of victory. But over the years that picture has changed a lot, with every single state voting for both the Republican and Democratic candidates at least once.

Full screen

The only deviating is Washington DCwho have consistently supported the Democrats since they first received electoral votes in 1962. 23rd amendment gave residents of the capital the chance to cast a vote in presidential elections, but ensured that DCs must always have fewer electoral votes than any state. As such, it has kept straight three electoral votes through the 16 elections.

When did Alaska vote Democrat?

Often characterized as the most steadfast of states, Alaska has been a Republican lock for decades. Alaska entered the Union in January 1959 and participated in the 1960 presidential election, voting for the Democratic candidate in all but one.

In 1964 Alaska’s votes went to Lyndon Johnson when he directed GOP candidate Barry Goldwater. It remains the only time Alaska has turned blue. For context, Donald Trump’s ten percentage point victory in 2020 was the smallest margin of victory since 1992.

Nevertheless, it will not be a major concern for Democrats. The sparsely populated state has just three Electoral College votes, ensuring that it is unlikely to play a key role in the final outcome of the 2024 presidential election.