AP: America's bellwethers crumbled in aligning with Trump
UC political scientist David Niven shares commentary on 2020 election with national audience
Bellwether states and counties used to be good predictors of election outcomes. That changed with the 2020 presidential election.
For example, Ohio has been a predictor of a Republican presidential win since 1960. Should Biden be certified by the electoral college that trend has ended.
UC political scientist David Niven explains in an Associated Press article how bellwethers were born when political battle lines tended to be drawn more cleanly along economic lines; however, this election cycle the lines appeared to be drawn more around culture wars and identity.
“It speaks to an evolution in American politics,” said Niven, who teaches American politics at UC and conducts research on campaigns, political communication and death penalty policy.
Featured image at top of Vigo County history musuem, where a sign touts the county's status as an election predictor. Photo/AP
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