United States presidential elections in New Mexico facts for kids
New Mexico has played a part in every United States presidential election since it became a state in 1912. These elections decide who will be the President and Vice President of the United States.
For a long time, New Mexico was known as a "bellwether" state. This means that from 1912 all the way until 1976, the candidate who won the most votes in New Mexico also ended up winning the national election and becoming president. It was like New Mexico's vote could predict the national outcome!
Understanding Presidential Elections in New Mexico
When people in New Mexico vote for president, they are actually voting for a group of people called "electors." These electors then cast the official votes for president. The number of electors a state has depends on its population. New Mexico currently has 5 electoral votes.
How New Mexico's Votes Changed Over Time
New Mexico's voting patterns have shifted since its "bellwether" days. While it used to consistently pick the national winner, this trend has changed in more recent elections.
- Early Years (1912-1948): New Mexico often voted for Democratic candidates like Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt won the state four times!
- Mid-Century Shifts (1952-1972): The state saw some Republican wins, especially with Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. New Mexico continued to vote for the national winner during this time.
- The End of the Bellwether Era (1976): In 1976, New Mexico voted for Gerald Ford (Republican), but Jimmy Carter (Democrat) won the national election. This was the first time New Mexico did not pick the national winner.
- Recent Trends (1980-Present): Since 1976, New Mexico has voted for the national winner in most elections, but not all. For example, in 2000, New Mexico voted for Al Gore, but George W. Bush won the presidency. In 2016, New Mexico voted for Hillary Clinton, but Donald Trump won nationally. This shows that New Mexico is no longer a perfect "bellwether" state.
Overall, New Mexico's role in presidential elections is important, and its voting patterns continue to be watched closely in every election cycle.
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