President-elect Donald Trump has secured his return to the White House, with a notable shift toward the Republican party observed in numerous counties across the nation, as more than 149 million votes from the contentious 2024 presidential election have been tallied and analyzed.
This significant transformation is just one aspect you can examine in USA TODAY’s dynamic, interactive map, which provides a comprehensive, county-level breakdown of how voting trends have evolved since the 2020 election. The visualizations detail not only the winning margins for Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris but also highlight voter turnout figures across each county.
America is somewhat purple
Both Harris’ and Trump’s campaigns received overwhelming support, claiming 80% or more of the vote in a remarkable combined total of 720 counties among nearly 3,000 nationwide. This marks an increase of over 200 counties since the last election cycle, with the majority of this gain leaning heavily in Trump’s favor. As of November 15, only 14 counties demonstrated overwhelming support for Harris, illustrating a stark contrast in the electoral landscape.
Explore the interactive map by tapping or hovering over each county to see how vote totals have changed between the 2020 and 2024 elections.
How counties shifted from 2020
In the 2024 election, Trump successfully shifted several traditionally left-leaning counties toward the right, demonstrating a strategic approach that didn’t solely focus on winning each county but rather on narrowing the vote margins significantly. This approach proved effective in key battleground states.
For example, Trump claimed victory in Nevada, a state that Joe Biden won in 2020, with critical margin shifts in two specific counties:
◾ Washoe County: In 2024, the margin shifted from blue to red by 3.5 points in favor of Trump.
◾ Clark County: Trump managed to decrease the existing Democratic margin, improving by 6.8 points.
The map compellingly showcases that while Trump did not win in every county marked with red arrows, he nonetheless made significant gains across the country, ultimately allowing him to secure every crucial swing state needed for his presidential victory.
Voter turnout fell from 2020 election
The total number of ballots counted has reached over 149 million as of November 15, reflecting a decline of approximately 7 million votes compared to the turnout during the 2020 presidential election. It’s essential to recognize that votes are still being counted in multiple places.
Our in-depth analysis indicates a decrease in vote totals in nearly every county across California, with similar downward trends illustrated by purple arrows in Louisiana, Mississippi, and throughout much of the Midwest. In stark contrast to the previous election, the data shows widespread decreases in voter turnout across several states.
One notable exception to the overall trend is Loving County, Texas, which experienced an impressive 47% increase in voter turnout—a county that Trump won. Despite the overall downturn, vote totals surged in states that Trump managed to flip: Nevada, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, while Arizona notably declined by about 234,000 votes despite also being flipped.
For a more detailed analysis of the 2020 election, you can find information here.
With President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, along with Republican majorities in both the Senate and the House, the party is set to control the legislative agenda once again—reminiscent of the first two years of Trump’s initial term. For insights into the balance of power, visit here.
How do the shifts in county-level voting patterns impact the future strategies of both the Republican and Democratic parties?
**Interview with Political Analyst Jane Doe on the 2024 Presidential Election Results**
**Editor**: Today, we’re speaking with political analyst Jane Doe about the recent election results and the shift in voting patterns we’ve observed in the 2024 presidential election. Thank you for joining us, Jane.
**Jane Doe**: Thanks for having me!
**Editor**: First off, can you explain what the data suggests about the election outcome for President-elect Donald Trump?
**Jane Doe**: Certainly! The analysis reveals a significant transformation in voter behavior, with Trump securing a return to the White House. Notably, he gained ground in traditionally Democratic counties. This indicates a strategic campaign that effectively shifted voter sentiment, particularly in crucial battleground states.
**Editor**: It’s interesting to see that over 720 counties showed overwhelming support for either candidate. What does that tell us about the current political landscape in the United States?
**Jane Doe**: It highlights a somewhat “purple” America, where both candidates captured substantial portions of the vote. However, Trump’s gains—especially moving over 200 counties in his favor—point to a strengthening Republican presence in regions that historically leaned Democratic. This marks a notable shift from the 2020 election.
**Editor**: The interactive map developed by USA TODAY offers a detailed look at these changes. Can you explain how voters are using this tool?
**Jane Doe**: The interactive map allows users to explore county-level voting trends, which is particularly useful for understanding how Trump’s message resonated differently across regions. By hovering over the counties, users can see the precise shifts in vote margins and turnout rates, providing a clearer picture of the electoral dynamics at play.
**Editor**: Nevada was mentioned as a state where key margins shifted in Trump’s favor. How did he manage to narrow the Democratic lead in counties like Washoe and Clark?
**Jane Doe**: Trump’s strategy focused on not just winning counties but also on reducing the margins where he was losing. In Washoe County, he managed a 3.5-point shift from blue to red, while in Clark County, he decreased the Democratic margin by 6.8 points. This suggests targeted outreach and a campaign that effectively addressed local issues resonating with voters.
**Editor**: This indicates a transformative election cycle. What potential implications do you see for the Republican party moving forward?
**Jane Doe**: If Trump can maintain this momentum and appeal in previously Democratic-leaning areas, it could reshape the Republican party’s strategy for the upcoming years. It might influence candidate selection and campaign approaches, particularly as they seek to solidify their foothold in these regions for future elections.
**Editor**: Thank you, Jane, for your insights on the 2024 election results and the evolving political landscape.
**Jane Doe**: My pleasure! It’s going to be fascinating to see how these trends evolve in the years to come.
