As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are intensifying their campaigns, aiming to sway key swing states that could determine the outcome.
Interestingly, a recent WalletHub study reveals that only Minnesota and Arizona from the potential swing states made it into the top 10 for political engagement, coming in at seventh and ninth, respectively.
This study assessed all 50 states based on factors like voter registration rates from the 2020 presidential election, civic education, voting accessibility, and civic group participation.
Maryland topped the list as the most engaged state, thanks to its civic education requirements and various voting policies, including early voting and online registration. With over 78% of residents registered to vote and a turnout rate close to 74%, it’s clear why Maryland is leading in political participation.
Virginia secured second place, boasting solid turnout stats and an impressive average political contribution of $23.24 from voting-age adults. Similar to Maryland, Virginia also emphasizes civic education and offers easy registration options.
New Jersey came in third, standing out with nearly 85% voter registration and the highest turnout rate in 2020 (78%). However, while it shares many civic engagement policies with the top two states, it lacks same-day registration.
Despite leading in civic education engagement, states like West Virginia and Alabama show a disconnect between education and actual voter participation, according to analysts.
Arkansas ranked last, showing concerning trends like the lowest voter registration rate (62%) and a turnout decline. While it has high civic education engagement, poor accessibility policies are stifling participation there.
The top 10 most politically engaged states according to WalletHub are:
- Maryland
- Virginia
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Washington
- Montana
- Minnesota
- California
- Arizona
- New York
Among notable swing states, Wisconsin ranked 17th, Pennsylvania 20th, and Michigan 26th, while Georgia and North Carolina fell behind at 33rd and 40th, respectively.
It turns out that the states most engaged in politics aren’t always the ones expected to be battlegrounds; instead, solidly blue states like Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey dominate the top spots. This study reveals that many individuals in swing states like Minnesota and Arizona, who could influence the election, are either not participating or facing barriers to voting.