Primary Concerns for Pennsylvania Electorates in the 2024 Presidential Election

Understanding Pennsylvania’s Role in the 2024 Presidential Election

The critical role of Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential elections cannot be underestimated. With its 19 electoral votes, the Keystone state could be the deciding factor in the race to the White House. Christopher Borick, a renowned Political Science Professor and Director at Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, emphasizes that key issues like energy policy, abortion, immigration, and the economy will be front and center for Pennsylvania voters.

The former President Donald Trump won Pennsylvania marginally in 2016, and President Joe Biden barely managed to edge him out in 2020. As things stand, predicting the 2024 electoral outcome in the state is a tough call. Christopher Borick observes that Pennsylvania carries significant weight as it holds the most electoral votes amongst the “in play” states in this election cycle.

Important Facts about Pennsylvania

• Population: 12.78 million
• Registered Democrats: 3,894,977
• Registered Republicans: 3,498,954
• Registered Independent Voters: 1,326,386
• Governor: Josh Shapiro (Democrat)
• Electoral college votes: 19 (out of 270 needed to win)

Pennsylvania Voting History in Previous Elections

In 2020, Joe Biden clinched Pennsylvania by about 80,500 votes, translating to a slim margin of just over 1%. In contrast, the 2016 election saw Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton by approximately 44,000 votes, a tighter margin of about 0.5%.

Top Issues for Pennsylvania Voters in 2024

Apart from the key issues such as the economy, reproductive rights, and border security that are influencing voters across the nation, Pennsylvanians will also be focusing on energy policy. As a large energy-producing state with substantial natural gas production and energy exports, any policy changes in the energy sector could have far-reaching implications on the state’s economy and employment.

What Else Experts Say About Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s political landscape is highly balanced, making it one of the nation’s most evenly split states. Democrats have a one-member majority in the state House, while Republicans maintain a narrow three-member lead in the state Senate. Since 2008, Republican voter registration has surged at a higher rate than that of Democrats, reducing the Democrat’s advantage from 12% in April 2008 to about 4% in April 2024.