Party Support Like its 1999

Of all US demographic groups, which one most strongly identifies with the Republican Party and which most strongly identifies with the Democratic Party?

View fullsize

1. How amazingly accurate and perfect was your prediction?

2. Why do you think Blacks are so strongly Democratically partisan?

3. Why do you think Mormons are so strongly Republican partisan?

4. What was the biggest surprise from this data?

5. What part of this chart made you think, "Well duh!"?

6. Think about the size and growth of the demographics from the chart. In general, if you had to pick a team (not based on ideology or personal preference, but only based on who would win) which side would you bet on?

7. How much do you think politicians are aware of this information as they campaign for office and make legislation?

8. How do you think this data will affect the 2016 presidential election?

9. What question do you have about this beautiful, beautiful chart?

10. In the comments section, based on the demographics from the chart, create a "typical" Democrat:

Action Extension

It's time for you to become a demographic and party identification sleuth. Go out into the world and see if you can find the person who most contradicts the data from this chart - such as a Black Republican or a White Democratic Southern Evangelical Protestant. Interview them to try to figure out how they transcended their demographics and share their story with class or on social media.

Learning Extension

Learn more about party identification in this Pew report.