PA Voter Patterns Changing
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: November 7, 2012
HUNTINGDON, HUNTINGDON COUNTY - In the light of Tuesday's voting results in Pennsylvania, it appears the political landscape in this state maybe changing.
When it comes to the voting trends in Pennsylvania, on political analyst in the region says the results in this state reflect some national patterns. The Democratic Party's registration edge in the Commonwealth appears to have played a part in Tuesday's results. But other developing trends could make a big difference in future elections.
The fact that Pennsylvania voters gave President Barack Obama a narrow win comes as no surprise to people who study political trends in the state. Juniata College Associate Professor of American Politics Dennis Plane says one reason for the president's smaller margin of victory in this election was a lack of interest by some young voters, particularly in this part of the state.
Other developing political trends could make a big difference in some future voting in Pennsylvania. Dr. Plane says changing demographics could alter the political landscape in this state as well as the nation.
Professor Plane says the Republican Party has largely taken as its core constituency white people, and in particular white men. He believes some demographic changes on the way will not look favorably on the Republican Party in the future if party leaders are not able to expand their coalition to include minorities and other ethnic groups.
Professor Plane when on to point out that Presidential candidate visits to Pennsylvania and re-districting can both play significant roles in how specific state races turn out. He says that examples of both races won and lost as a result of those factors may be found in the results of Tuesday's balloting in Pennsylvania.
When it comes to the voting trends in Pennsylvania, on political analyst in the region says the results in this state reflect some national patterns. The Democratic Party's registration edge in the Commonwealth appears to have played a part in Tuesday's results. But other developing trends could make a big difference in future elections.
The fact that Pennsylvania voters gave President Barack Obama a narrow win comes as no surprise to people who study political trends in the state. Juniata College Associate Professor of American Politics Dennis Plane says one reason for the president's smaller margin of victory in this election was a lack of interest by some young voters, particularly in this part of the state.
Other developing political trends could make a big difference in some future voting in Pennsylvania. Dr. Plane says changing demographics could alter the political landscape in this state as well as the nation.
Professor Plane says the Republican Party has largely taken as its core constituency white people, and in particular white men. He believes some demographic changes on the way will not look favorably on the Republican Party in the future if party leaders are not able to expand their coalition to include minorities and other ethnic groups.
Professor Plane when on to point out that Presidential candidate visits to Pennsylvania and re-districting can both play significant roles in how specific state races turn out. He says that examples of both races won and lost as a result of those factors may be found in the results of Tuesday's balloting in Pennsylvania.
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