In this historic presidential election, the premise that every vote counts seems more and more relevant. Each of the battleground states have the potential to tip the winner’s scale and determine who will be our nation’s next commander-in-chief. BlackEnterprise.com offers you a detailed list of state-to-state election information, including past election results.
Alabama
Poll hours:Â 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 9
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results:Â Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: None
House seats open: 2 Democrat; 5 Republican
Swing state: No
Polling place search: http://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov
State elections Website: www.alabamavotes.gov
Provisional ballot status: https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov
Red State
Alaska
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 1 Republican
Swing state: No
Red State
Arizona
Poll hours: 6AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 10
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open:Â 4 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: No
In person, no-excuse early voting begins 33 days before the election
Red State
Arkansas
Poll hours: 7:30AM – 7:30PM
# of electoral votes: 6
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 3 Democrat; 1 Republican
Swing state: No
Red state
California
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 55
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 34 Democrat; 19 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
Colorado
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral Votes: 9
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 4 Democrat; 3 Republican
Swing state: Yes. In the 2004 election, George W. Bush defeated John Kerry by only 4.7% in popular votes. A Sept. 24, CNN/Time poll showed the electorate split 51% supporting Sen. Barack Obama and 47% support Sen. John McCain
How Obama can win: Use his appeal to mobilize young people to vote. Colorado’s abundant, well-educated, under-30 set support him but has a poor track record of showing up at the polls. Also, connect with Latino voters, whose turnout rates are typically below that of other groups. In Colorado, Latinos comprise 20% of voters, a considerably larger minority voting bloc than African Americans.
Leaning blue
Connecticut
Poll hours: 6AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 7:
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 4 Democrat; 1 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
Delaware
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 1 Republican
Swing state: No
Voter registration look-up: http://pollingplace.delaware.gov/
Blue state
Washington D.C.
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat
Swing state: no
Voter registration look-up: http://www.dcboee.org/voter_info/reg_status/
Blue state
Florida
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 27
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 9 Democrat 16 Republican
Swing state: Yes. The state’s growing population of Cubans, retirees, and service workers has resulted in a much more diversified demographic. The 2000 election was filled with a month of legal wrangling that resulted in Bush winning the electoral votes. In 2004, Bush defeated John Kerry by 5 percentage points.
How Obama can win: Grab a major share of the large numbers of independent voters living along the heavily populated I-4 Corridor running east to west through Orlando. Visit large urban counties in central and southern Florida to win over receptive residents as well as turn out African American voters. Offer superior solutions to address Florida’s deeply troubled economy — especially the depressed real estate sector.
Toss up
Georgia
Poll hours: 7AM- 7PM
# of electoral votes: 15
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 6 Democrat; 7 Republican
Swing state: No. Has sided with Southern Democrats when on the presidential ticket, voting for Jimmy Carter in 1976 and 1980, and Bill Clinton in 1992.
How Obama can win: Get more whites to vote Democrat while maximizing black participation. Also target young, college-educated whites who are indifferent to candidate’s race. Focus on economic problems and voter dissatisfaction during Bush’s presidency. Sell the planks of the Democratic Party platform as more conservative than most whites perceived them. Identify and mobilize voters likely to vote for him.
Red state
Hawaii
Poll hours: 7AM — 6PM
# of electoral votes: 4
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al. Gore
Senate seats open:Â 0
House seats open: 2 Democrat
Swing state: No
Blue state
Idaho
Poll hours: 8AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 4
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 2 Republican
Swing state: No. Historically voted Republican
Red state
Illinois
Poll hours: 6AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 21
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 11 Democrat; 8 Republican
Swing state: No
Provisional ballot status: http://www.elections.il.gov/VotingInformation/ProvBallotSearch.aspx Blue state
Indiana
Poll hours: 6AM – 6PM
# of electoral votes: 11
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 5 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: Yes, but it’s historically voted Republican in presidential elections
Voter registration lookup: http://www.indianavoters.com/PublicSite/Public/FT1/PublicLookupMain.aspx?Link=Registration
How Obama can win: Capture this red state by registering new voters, especially young people and African Americans–two low turnout groups that polls suggest support Obama. Since unemployment in the state is the highest it’s been since 1992, connect with working-class voters and concentrate on the economy and well-paying jobs.
Leaning red state
Iowa
Poll hours: 7AM – 9PM
# of electoral Votes: 7
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 5 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: Yes. The closeness of the general election vote, as well as the importance of its caucuses, which kick off the nominating process every election cycle, give the electorate great influence in electing the president.
How Obama can win: Work closely with Hillary Clinton supporters and gain their backing. If he cannot get the Hillraisers’ support, his chances of winning here are slim because Iowa can swing both ways.
Leaning blue state
Kansas
Poll hours: 6AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 6
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 2 Democrat; 2 Republican
Swing state: No
Voter registration look-up: https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/
Red state
Kentucky
Polls hours: 6AM – 6PM
# of electoral votes: 8
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 2 Democrat 4 Republican
Swing state: No
Red state
Louisiana
Poll hours: 6AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 9
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open:Â 1 Democrat
House seats open: 3 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: No. Louisiana lost significant population as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. If the exodus is permanent, the state could lose an electoral vote in 2012, depending on the 2010 census.
Sample ballot: http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov/cgibin/?rqstyp=BLTINQ&rqsdta=start
Red State
Maine
Poll hours: Hours vary, but polls open no earlier than 6AM and close no later than 8PM
# of electoral votes: 4
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 2 Democrat
Swing state: No. Maine is one of two states that does not use the “winner takes all†rule. The winner of the popular votes gets two electoral votes, while one is assigned to the winner of each of Maine’s two congressional districts.
Maryland
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 10
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 6 Democrat 2 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
Massachusetts
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 12
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 10 Democrat
Swing state: No
Blue state
Michigan
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 17
2004
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 6 Democrat; 9 Republican
Swing state: Yes. A Sept. 26 Detroit Free Press poll showed 11% of the electorate were undecided.
How Obama can win: Register new voters, expanding the electorate. Focus on Michigan’s No. 1 issue: an economy that has lost 128,000 motor vehicle and automotive parts jobs in the past 12 months. Galvanize predominantly male, unionized workers by promising green-color jobs and reviving the auto industry with tech-driven, energy-efficient cars produced in the USA. Employ Hillary Clinton to campaign harder and more frequently to counter the Republicans’ strategic use of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Sample ballot: https://services2.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/votersearch.aspx
Leaning blue state
Minnesota
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 10
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 5 Democrat; 3 Republican
Swing state: No, but during the 2000 and 2004 elections the democratic presidential nominee only won by 2.5% and 3.5% of the popular vote, respectively.
Leaning blue state
Mississippi
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 6
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 2 Republican
House seats open: 3 Democrat; 1 Republican
Swing state: No
Red state
Missouri
Poll hours: 6AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 11
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 4 Democrat; 5 Republican
Swing state: Yes. An Oct. 1, CNN/Time poll showed the electorate split, 49% for Obama and 48% for McCain.
How Obama can win: Follow the strategy Democrat Claire Catskill devised to win her Senate seat in 2006: vigorously campaign in overwhelmingly white, rural GOP areas, especially outstate Missouri, to pick up much-needed votes, even if he doesn’t win a majority of them. Do well in St. Louis County, and attract more voters in St. Charles County, a St. Louis suburb that tends to swing Republican but is still viable. Keep hammering the Republicans on economic issues.
Leaning red state
Montana
Poll hours: Hours vary but polls open no earlier than 7AM and close no later than 8PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 1 Republican
Swing state: No
How Obama can win: Drive voter turnout in Montana’s more populated, booming West. Maximize this newcomer-attracting region’s registration of Democrats and Independents. Focus on education, cherished by both East and West. Bypass the economic message—the state is prospering. Downplay land, gun, and social issues. Be himself–and forget the cowboy hat.
Leaning red state
Nebraska
Poll hours: 7AM (MST) – 7PM (MST)
8AM (CST) – 8PM (CST)
# of electoral votes: 5
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 3 Republican
Swing state: No
Red state
Nevada
Poll Hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 5
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat; 2 Republican
Swing state: Yes, an influx in population has made Nevada a swing state. In 2004, George W. Bush defeated John Kerry by 3% of the popular vote.
How Obama can win: Keep the base energized now that registered Democrats outnumber Republicans. Play a solid ground game to boost the usual weak turnout among Nevada’s main concentration of Democrats in Clark Country (Las Vegas), and rally supporters in northern Nevada. Visit new voters and keep them ready for November polls. Focus on the economy, especially take-home pay and Nevada’s battered housing market.
Toss up between blue and red
New Hampshire
Poll hours: Hours vary. Visit http://www.sos.nh.gov/polling.htm for details.
# of electoral votes: 4
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 1 Democrat; 2 Republican
Swing state: Yes. New Hampshire was the only state to vote Democrat in the 2004 election and Republican in the 2000 election.
How Obama can win: Pursue undeclared voters; they’re 43% of the electorate. Capture these essentially independent thinkers, who gravitate toward new-paradigm candidates. Keep core Democrats on board with detailed policy proposals. Point out measureable rises in the state’s low unemployment. Offer solutions for the economy, healthcare, environments, and the Iraq War.
Toss up between red and blue
New Jersey
Poll hours: 6AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 15
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 7 Democrat 6 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
New Mexico
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 5
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open:Â 1 Republican
House seats open: 2 Democrat Republican
Swing state: Yes. The state has voted Democrat since the 1992 election bit voted Republican in the 2004 election. George W. Bush narrowly defeated John Kerry by .8% of the popular vote.
How Obama can win: Reach people with substance as well as symbolism. Deliver a clear, moderate, pro-business message appealing to western-style conservative Democrats. Emphasize his background, characters, and values. Campaign vigorously for the Hispanic vote that supported Hillary Clinton, particularly since one-fourth of New Mexican voters are Hispanic.
Leaning Blue state
New York
Poll hours: 6AM – 9PM
# of electoral votes: 31
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 23 Democrat; 6 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
North Carolina
Poll hours: 6:30AM – 7:30PM
# of electoral votes: 15
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 7 Democrat 6 Republican
Swing state: Yes
How Obama can win: Pursue the rare chance for a competitive presidential race here by using campaign resources to register and turn out new voters. Mobilize the black electorate in a way that’s not happened here before. Build on the recent success here of the state’s Democratic legislature and governor to secure a difficult (but not impossible) win.
Provisional ballot status: www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/provisionalvoting/?s=86
Absentee ballot status: www.sboe.state.nc.us/VoterLookup.aspx?Feature=voterinfo
Leaning red state
North Dakota
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat
Swing state: No
How Obama can win: Wedge into the usual Republican presidential vote with support for the state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation. Blast high fuel and food prices. Pledge getting the job done in Iraq and brining troops back home to a state proud of its high rates of military service. Keep under-30 voters excited and make sure they get to the polls.
Red state
Ohio
Poll hours: 6:30AM- 7:30PM
# of electoral votes: 20
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat
Swing state: Yes. In 2004 George W. Bush garnered a two percent victory for the state’s popular vote.
How Obama can win: As Hillary Clinton did in the primary, convince voters that he understands long-standing economic problems and can solve then in this pivotal state. Recognize women voters’ high turnout rate, and stimulate greater turnout among Democrats in Cleveland. Make sure eligible voters get to vote and that ballots are properly counted. Address the war in Iraq.
Online Feedback: www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/voter/f?p=104:1:93001109639196
Toss up
Oklahoma
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 7
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 1 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: No
Red state
*Oregon
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 7
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 4 Democrat; 1 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
Pennsylvania
Poll hours: 7AM- 8PM
# of electoral votes: 21
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open:Â 0
House seats open: 11 Democrat; 8 Republican
Swing state: Yes. In 2004 John Kerry beat our George W. Bush by a 2.5% margin
How Obama can win: Bring Hillary Clinton to rally her supporters. Convince financially stressed Pennsylvanians that a McCain presidency would be George W. Bush’s third term. Use vice presidential candidate, and Pennsylvania native, Joe Biden as an asset. Explain how he’d fix the economy. Make sure college students have absentee ballots or have registered to vote near campus.
Voter registration lookup: https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/VoterRegistrationStatus.aspx
Provisional ballot status: https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/ProvisionalBallotSearch.aspx
Leaning blue state
Rhode Island
Poll hours: Hours vary but polls open no earlier than 7AM and close no later
# of electoral votes: 4
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 2 Democrat
Swing state: no
Voter registration lookup: http://www.sec.state.ri.us/vic/
Sample ballot: http://www.sec.state.ri.us/vic/
Provisional ballot status: http://www.sec.state.ri.us/vic/
Blue state
South Carolina
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 8
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 2 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: no
Absentee ballot status: http://webprod.cio.sc.gov/SCSECVoterWeb/voterInformationSearch.do
Provisional ballot status: http://webprod.cio.sc.gov/SCSECVoterWeb/voterInformationSearch.do
Red state
South Dakota
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 1 Democrat
Swing state: no
Voter registration look-up: http://apps.sd.gov/applications/st25cers/
Red state
Tennessee
Poll hours: Hours vary, but polls open no earlier than 7AM and close no later than 7PM
# of electoral votes: 11
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 5 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: no
Red state
Texas
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 34
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 13 Democrat; 19 Republican
Swing state: No
Red state
Utah
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 5
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open:Â 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat; 2 Republican
Swing state: No
Red state
Vermont
Poll hours: 5AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open:Â 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat
Swing state: No
Virginia
Poll hours: 6AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 13
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 3 Democrat; 8 Republican
Swing state: Yes
How Obama can win: Visit northern Virginia’s ethnically diverse suburbs, full of Democratic-leaning professional. Advertise running mate Joe Biden’s national security expertise to attract defense and think-tank workers. Get Gov. Tim Kaine to stump for him. Appeal to suburban women with abortion rights and equal pay issues. Register and turn out black voters in the Richmond and Tidewater areas.
Toss up between red and blue
Washington
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 11
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 5 Democrat; 4 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
West Virginia
Poll hours: 6:30AM – 7:30PM
# of electoral votes: 5
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 2 Democrat; 1 Republican
Swing state: Yes. Despite voting for the Republican presidential candidate in 2000 and 2004, West Virginia is primarily Democratic at local and state levels.
Sample ballot: www.wvvotes.com/voters/sample-ballots.php
Online inquiries: www.wvsos.com/service/helpline.htm
Red state
Wisconsin
Poll hours: 7AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 10
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open:Â 0
House seats open: 5 Democrat; 3 Republican
Swing state: No
How Obama can win: Get mainstream voters comfortable with him. Deliver an understandable memorable economic message addressing jobs, high gas prices, and the economic crisis facing the nation. Reframe the core issue of the campaign to the economic survival of the middle class and the competitive position of the United State in the global economy. Propose job-creation opportunities for low-income people. Address healthcare and education. Mobilize young people to promote his campaign and show up at the polls.
Leaning Blue state
Wyoming
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 2 Republican
House seats open: 1 Republican
Swing state: No
*Counties can keep polls open until 9PM
*Oregon votes entirely by mail. Poll hours reflect the hours of the county election offices on Election Day.
*All poll hours for the respective states are local times.