What is a swing state?

A swing state is characterized as a state where election outcomes can frequently change between political parties in different election cycles, demonstrating a lack of consistent strong support for either the Democratic or Republican party. This means that swing states are often seen as critical battlegrounds during presidential elections since they have the potential to be won by either major party. This unpredictability makes them key targets for campaign efforts, as candidates focus on swaying undecided voters in these areas to gain an electoral advantage.

States that predominantly vote for one party are less likely to be swing states, as they demonstrate a stable political leaning that does not fluctuate. Similarly, states that do not participate in elections or consistently support the incumbent are not classified as swing states, given their lack of competitive electoral dynamics.