What is a swing state?

A swing state, also known as a battleground state, is a U.S. state that is politically competitive and can go either way in a presidential election.

These states are often the focus of intense campaigning by both parties, as they can make the difference between winning and losing the election.

In the 2020 presidential election, there were 12 swing states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

These states are typically decided by a narrow margin, and the outcome of the election can often come down to a few thousand votes.

There are a number of factors that can make a state a swing state, including:

• A large population of independent voters
• A history of voting for both parties
• A diverse economy
• A large number of undecided voters

Swing states are often the most closely watched states in presidential elections, as they can determine the outcome of the race.

In recent years, the number of swing states has declined, as some states have become more reliably Democratic or Republican.

However, there are still a number of swing states that could play a key role in the 2024 presidential election.