These States Have the Most Registered Republicans

The 2024 presidential election is just over a month away and no one knows which way the Union will vote. A superficial glance at various voting maps would make it seem like coastal states always vote for the Democratic Party. It would also suggest land-locked states almost always vote for the Republican Party. A closer look at the data, however, reveals some interesting results.

Sometimes, surprising Democratic contingents in major cities can swing otherwise Republican states. Other places like West Virginia have progressed from historically Republican to more Democratic. Given the number of swing states, understanding the patchwork of Republican voters can help estimate the outcome of this year's election. In this article, we will explore the states with the most registered Republicans. (For states that tend blue, explore the states with the most registered Democrats.)

To compile a list of the states with the most registered Republicans, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of data, politics, and research sites including the Pew Research Center, The Movement Advancement Project, and USAFacts.org. Next, we compiled data for each state showing a Republican affiliation or voting majority. After that, we confirmed aspects of our research using sites like The New York Times, The Messina Group, and worldpopulationreview.com.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, 52% of Alabama's registered voters lean toward the Republican party. Of the 3,826,693 registered voters in the state, 63% turned out for the 2020 election. This resulted in 62% of the votes in 2020 going to the Republicans, compared to 37% to the Democrats. Alabama doesn't publically announce party registrations, which means The New York Times voter concentration map provides little insight.

Even with Alaska's small population, it often tends toward Republican control. Thirty-nine percent of its voters lean Republican while 32% lean Democrat. Of the state's 531,417 eligible voters, 69% voted in the 2020 election. This gave Republicans 53% of the votes and Democrats 43%. Unfortunately, not much more data can be illustrated as Alaska doesn't publicly announce its voter registrations.

Though neighboring states tend to favor the Democratic Party, Arizona features a slightly dominant contingent of Republicans with a 40% lean in that direction. Of the state's 5,358,326 eligible voters, 66% turned out for the 2020 presidential election. Since 49% of the votes went to Republicans and 50% to Democrats, Arizona can be considered a swing state. For nearly a decade, percentages of party affiliations have remained neck and neck. According to The New York Times voter concentration map, the state's major cities typically vote Democrat while more rural areas in the middle of the state vote Republican.

As expected, Arkansas features a 46% lean in the Republican direction with only 38% leaning toward Democratic. Of the state's 2,214,758 eligible voters, 56% voted in the 2020 presidential election. This gave Republicans a sizable win with 62% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 35%. Besides small sections of Democratic voters in cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville, the state votes almost entirely Republican. That said, the state's no-party contingent has grown larger and larger, while Republican affiliation has trended downward. For the Democrats' part, their presence in the state has stayed relatively the same.

While Georgia has a history of being led by Republicans, the numbers tell a slightly different story. Party affiliation for both Democrats and Republicans is tied at 41%. Of the 7,734,398 eligible voters in the state, 68% turned out for the 2020 election. This resulted in Democrats narrowly beating Republicans 50%-49%. While the southern part of the state votes solidly Republican, sizeable Democratic contingents in cities like Atlanta give the state a tendency to swing depending on the election.

Given Idaho's reputation as a freedom-loving state, it's unsurprising that it features a 49% Republican Party affiliation compared to a paltry 32% Democratic Party affiliation. Of its 1,421,619 eligible voters, 68% turned out for the 2020 presidential election. This gave Republicans a noticeable victory with 64% of the votes compared to the Democratic Party's 33%. Judging by the voter concentration map, only Blaine County and the city of Boise showed Democratic favor. The rest of the state voted solidly red.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, Indiana features a 42% Republican Party affiliation and a 37% Democratic Party affiliation. Of its 5,050,535 eligible voters, 61% turned out to vote in the 2020 election. This gave Republicans a win with 57% of the votes over the Democratic Party's 41%. Like most states, Indiana's major cities vote solidly blue, while more rural counties tend to vote Republican.

While Iowa sits firmly in the typically Republican Midwest, it features a bigger contingent of Democratic voters than expected. Republican affiliation narrowly beats out Democratic affiliation with 41% compared to 40%. Of the state's 2,353,889 eligible voters, 73% turned out for the 2020 election. This gave Republicans a win with 53% of the votes compared to the Democrat's 45%. Over the past decade, the state's independent voters have trended downward, eclipsed by a rising contingent of Republican voters. Judging by the voter concentration map, the state votes solidly red, save for major cities like Des Moines and Iowa City.

Unlike several previous entries on this list, Kansas features a strong Republican contingent of 46% compared to a Democratic affiliation of 31%. Of the state's 2,113,647 eligible voters, 66% turned out for the 2020 election. This gave Republicans 56% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 42%. Over the past decade, the state's voting percentages have remained relatively fixed. Save for small Democratic contingents in major cities like Kansas City and Topeka, the rest of Kansas votes entirely Republican.

Kentucky may have a reputation as a more Republican state but the numbers are closer than expected. The state features a 44% Republican Party affiliation and a 43% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 3,356,052 eligible voters, 65% turned out for the 2020 election. This gave Republicans a decisive victory with 62% of the votes compared to the Democratic Party's 36%. While Kentucky featured more Democrats a decade ago, the percentage of Republican voters has steadily risen. Of the little voter concentration data available, it can be surmised that the state follows a similar pattern to others with Democratic strongholds in larger cities and Republican favor in rural counties.

As evidenced by the Pew Research Center data, Mississippi features a 44% Republican Party affiliation and a 42% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 2,175,222 eligible voters, 60% turned out for the 2020 presidential election. This gave Republicans 58% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 41%. Given the relatively equal lean of Mississippi's party affiliation, it could be considered a swing state. This is reinforced by the voter concentration map, which shows a balanced patchwork of Democratic and Republican voting counties.

By all metrics, Montana can be considered a Republican state. It features a 49% Republican Party affiliation and a 30% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 887,675 eligible voters, 73% voted in the 2020 presidential election. This gave Republicans the win with 57% of the vote compared to the Democrats' 41%. While places like Glacier County and Big Horn County turned out for the Democrats, the rest of the state remains solidly red.

Nebraska features a heavy red contingent as 47% of its voters are affiliated with the Republican Party and 36% are affiliated with the Democratic Party. Of the state's 1,417,874 eligible voters, 70% turned out for the 2020 presidential election. This resulted in 59% voting Republican and 39% voting Democrat. Perhaps more than any other state, Nebraska's voting percentages have remained fixed for the past decade. Besides a small contingent of Democratic voters in the cities of Omaha and Lincoln, the state remains a sea of red.

The party lean in some states can be deceptive. Take North Carolina, for example. The Pew Research Center data shows that the state features a 41% Republican Party affiliation and a 43% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 8,067,643 eligible voters, 71% turned out for the 2020 election. Despite the blue advantage, Republicans won, but only slightly, with 50% of the votes over the Democrats' 49%. Judging by the voter concentration map, the western part of the state votes Republican. As one gets closer to the coast, however, more and more counties turn out for the Democratic Party.

North Dakota features a red majority with 50% Republican Party affiliation and 33% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 580,564 eligible voters, 64% turned out to vote in the 2020 election. This gave Republicans a sizable win with 65% of the votes compared to the Democratic Party's 32%. As evidenced by The New York Times voter concentration map, Sioux County and parts of Dunn County featured Democratic voters. The rest of the state, however, voted almost entirely for the Republican Party. (Learn about the most popular Republican politicians. The answers may surprise you.)

While Ohio sits firmly in the Rustbelt, the state features a slight Republican majority. It has a 42% Republican Party affiliation and a 40% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 8,936,519 eligible voters, 67% turned out for the 2020 election. This gave Republicans the win with 53% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 45%. Much like other states, Ohio's voter concentration follows a pattern. The more rural counties tend to vote Republican while major cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati tend to vote along Democratic Party lines.

Compared to other Midwestern states, Oklahoma features a formidable Republican majority. It has a 45% Republican Party affiliation and 40% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 2,930,170 eligible voters, only 55% turned out for the 2020 election. Even still, this gave Republicans the win with 65% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 32%. Over the past decade, the number of Democratic voters in Oklahoma has trended downward, giving Republicans a steady lead. Besides some small pockets of Democrats, the rest of the state votes entirely red.

Like other Southern states, South Carolina leans in Republican favor. The state features a 43% Republican Party affiliation and a 39% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 4,101,895 eligible voters, 64% turned out for the 2020 election. This resulted in 55% of votes going to Republicans and 43% going to Democrats. Much like its northern neighbor, South Carolina features stronger contingents of Democrats near its coast. As one progresses west, however, the state leans more Republican.

South Dakota features a heavy red majority as it has a 53% Republican Party affiliation and a 37% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 679,545 eligible voters, 66% turned out to vote in the 2020 election. This gave Republicans the win with 62% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 36%. Over the past decade, the state's Democratic voters have trended downward while Republican voters slowly but surely increased. According to the voter concentration map, the middle part of the state votes Democrat with Dewey, Todd, and Oglala Dakota counties trending blue. The rest of the state typically votes for the Republican Party.

Tennessee can be considered a Republican state as it features a 48% Republican party affiliation and a 36% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 5,316,827 eligible voters, 60% turned out for the 2020 election. This resulted in Republicans earning 61% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 38%. Save for strong Democratic Party strongholds in major cities like Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee usually votes for Republican.

More than most states, Utah is prominently red. The state has a 54% Republican Party affiliation and a 30% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 2,341,476 eligible voters, 69% turned out for the 2020 election. This gave Republicans the win with 58% of the votes compared to the Democrats' 38%. Over the past decade, the state has gained more Republican voters while losing independent voters. Besides major cities like Salt Lake City and places like San Juan County, Utah votes almost entirely for Republicans.

Even though Virginia shares a border with the Democratic stronghold of Washington D.C., it usually votes red. The state features a 43% Republican Party affiliation and a 39% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 6,367,607 eligible voters, an impressive 73% turned out for the 2020 election. Surprisingly, the state went blue with Democrats taking 54% of the votes compared to the Republicans' 44%. Unfortunately, Virginia is another state that doesn't publicly announce voter registration. Given the disparity between party affiliation and election results, however, Virginia can be considered a swing state depending on the election year.

While West Virginia has a history of Democratic-labor interests, the state has turned red in recent years. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the state features a 43% Republican Party affiliation and a 41% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 1,387,628 eligible voters, only 58% turned out for the 2020 election. Even so, this gave Republicans the win with 69% of the votes compared to the Democrats' meager 30%. Over the past decade, the state has seen a steady decrease in Democratic Party voters and a similar increase in Republican voters. Besides blue contingents in major cities like Charleston, the rest of the state has voted Republican in recent years.

No matter how you look at it, Wisconsin is a tricky one. It tends to go back and forth between Republican and Democratic advantage, which makes it a swing state. The party affiliations are even, with Republican Party and Democratic Party affiliations at 42% each. All in all, 76% of the state's 4,465,647 eligible voters turned out for the 2020 election. In turn, the Democratic Party scored a narrow victory with 50% of the votes compared to the Republican Party's 49%. Thanks to a strong Democratic concentration in major cities like Madison and Milwaukee, the state tended Democrat. The rest of the state, especially rural areas, votes red. It's hard to predict how the state will swing in the upcoming presidential election.

While Wisconsin can tip in either party's favor depending on the year, Wyoming almost always votes Republican. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the state features a 57% Republican Party affiliation and a minuscule 25% Democratic Party affiliation. Of the state's 441,700 eligible voters, 65% turned out to vote in the 2020 election. This gave Republicans a clear win with 70% of the votes compared to the Democrats' modest 27%. While Republicans have long dominated the state, the past decade has seen an increase in Republican voters. While independents have trended downward in Wyoming, Democrat percentages have stayed roughly the same. Besides areas like Teton County and parts of Fremont County, Wyoming votes red, almost as a rule. (For popular conservatives among younger generations, discover the most popular Republicans among millennials.)