Red states and blue states facts for kids

US Presidential elections, since 2004. Dark blue shows states where Democrats won the majority 4 times. Light blue means they won 3 times. Purple states had Democrats and Republicans each win twice. Light red shows Republicans won 3 times, and dark red means they won 4 times.

In the United States, when people talk about "blue states" and "red states," they are usually talking about politics. A blue state is one where most voters chose a candidate from the Democratic Party. A red state is where most voters picked a candidate from the Republican Party. This way of describing states has been used since the year 2000. Sometimes, these terms are used even when there isn't an election happening. In that case, they refer to the political party that most people in that state usually support.

Understanding Red and Blue States

The idea of red and blue states helps us understand how different parts of the United States tend to vote. It's a simple way to show which political party is more popular in a certain area.

How States Get Their Colors

States get their "color" based on the results of big elections, like the one for President.

• If the Democratic candidate wins the most votes in a state, that state is called "blue."
• If the Republican candidate wins the most votes, that state is called "red."

When Did This Start

Before the year 2000, there wasn't a clear color code for political parties. News channels and maps started using red for Republicans and blue for Democrats during the 2000 presidential election. This made it easier for people to quickly see which party was winning in different states.

Beyond Election Day

Even when there isn't an election, people still talk about red and blue states. This usually means that the state has a history of supporting one party over the other. For example, a "blue state" might often elect Democratic governors or senators. A "red state" might usually vote for Republican leaders.

Why Do Colors Matter

The red and blue state map helps show the political differences across the country. It can help explain why certain laws are passed in some states but not others. It also shows how different regions have different ideas about government and society.

Images for kids

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  This map shows the United States with each county sized by its population. The colors reflect the 2004 presidential election results.

See also

In Spanish: Estados rojos y estados azules para niños