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Data published in Oct. by WalletHub revealed the most and least politically engaged states. The results may surprise you!
WalletHub compared all 50 states across 10 key metrics and proxies for political engagement, including voter registration stats, midterm voters, accessibility policies, campaign opportunities, and more. Maryland ranked #1 overall as the most politically active state, which is probably obvious. Maryland is right next to Washington D.C. Virginia was #2 on the list.
“You might expect the most politically engaged states to be contentious swing states where votes matter most, but in actuality they are states that are solid blue or lean blue – Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey. The only swing states among the top 10 most politically engaged states are Minnesota and Arizona, which shows that plenty of people who could have an impact on the upcoming election are either choosing not to have their voices heard or are meeting some sort of obstacles to vote,” wrote WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
The Least Politically Engaged?
Arkansas. Alabama, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Indiana ranked as the top five least politically engaged states. West Virginia, Indiana and Arkansas ranked in the lowest percentage of electorates that voted in the 2022 midterms. (LEARN MORE: Is the Current Approach to Gun Control Effective?)
Overall, Arkansas ranked extremely low across all variables. The state also saw the smallest change in the number of people who voted between the 2016 and 2020 elections.
What Do The Experts Say?
“States with higher political engagement often have a higher percentage of adults with college degrees, which correlates to civic engagement and income. Individuals with a higher education background and higher income usually have higher political engagement. This may also reflect demographics, as these states often have a high percentage of non-Hispanic white citizens,” says Nazareth University professor Dr. Timothy W. Kneeland. TAKE A POLL: Is the Two-Party System Beneficial for American Democracy?)
“At the local level, many residents are issue-oriented. Grassroots organizations are an accessible entryway for people to discuss and engage with local and state governments. This experience translates into broader political engagement. Many local political figures in the United States begin their careers focusing on a specific problem that is significant to them,” he added.
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