Politics
New York State Usually Votes Democrat But These Counties Are Bright Red
Published:
Despite its status as a Democratic stronghold, there are several parts of the New York that have consistently broken with the prevailing political ideology in recent elections. According to voting records, there are 29 counties in New York where an average of at least 50% of voters have supported the Republican candidate across the last four presidential elections. In one of these counties, an average of 65.8% of voters cast ballots for the Republican candidate over the same four general elections.
These are the most Republican counties in New York. All historical, county-level, voting statistics are from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab’s County Presidential Election Returns 2000-2020 database, as compiled in the Harvard Dataverse, V13.
Why It Matters
Because of the electoral college system, the outcome of presidential elections often comes down to voters in just a handful of closely contested states. In contrast to these battleground states, most of the country has reliably voted either Democratic or Republican in recent presidential elections. These states include New York, which, barring any unforeseen shake ups in the race, is all but guaranteed to go to Harris in 2024. Still, New York is not the partisan monolith it is often perceived to be.
29. Niagara County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 44.8% Democratic; 50.5% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 43.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 53.5% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 38.5% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 56.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 47.0% Democrat (Barack Obama); 42.9% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 49.7% Democrat (Barack Obama); 48.7% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 212,230
28. Washington County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 43.7% Democratic; 51.1% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 40.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 56.4% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 37.1% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 55.5% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 47.6% Democrat (Barack Obama); 42.4% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 49.5% Democrat (Barack Obama); 48.7% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 61,310
27. Oswego County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 43.3% Democratic; 51.3% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 38.5% Democrat (Joe Biden); 58.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 35.5% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 57.5% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 49.7% Democrat (Barack Obama); 39.5% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 50.3% Democrat (Barack Obama); 47.9% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 118,037
26. Chemung County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 43.8% Democratic; 51.8% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 41.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 55.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 38.1% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 55.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 46.3% Democrat (Barack Obama); 46.1% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 48.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 50.0% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 83,584
25. Putnam County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 43.2% Democratic; 52.4% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 45.1% Democrat (Joe Biden); 52.9% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 39.9% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 55.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 41.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 47.2% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 45.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 53.3% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 97,942
24. Richmond County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 44.5% Democratic; 52.5% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 41.8% Democrat (Joe Biden); 56.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 41.0% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 56.1% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 49.0% Democrat (Barack Obama); 43.4% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 47.6% Democrat (Barack Obama); 51.7% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 492,925
23. Yates County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 42.0% Democratic; 52.8% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 39.1% Democrat (Joe Biden); 57.5% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 36.4% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 56.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 45.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 45.2% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 47.6% Democrat (Barack Obama); 51.3% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 24,713
22. Chautauqua County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 41.6% Democratic; 52.9% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 38.6% Democrat (Joe Biden); 58.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 35.2% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 58.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 42.5% Democrat (Barack Obama); 45.9% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 49.6% Democrat (Barack Obama); 48.6% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 127,440
21. Oneida County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 42.2% Democratic; 53.1% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 40.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 56.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 37.1% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 56.5% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 45.0% Democrat (Barack Obama); 46.7% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 46.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 52.2% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 231,055
20. Jefferson County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 41.7% Democratic; 53.6% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 39.2% Democrat (Joe Biden); 58.1% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 36.1% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 56.9% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 45.5% Democrat (Barack Obama); 46.0% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 46.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 52.0% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 117,445
19. Schuyler County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 40.7% Democratic; 53.8% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 39.8% Democrat (Joe Biden); 57.4% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 35.2% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 57.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 42.3% Democrat (Barack Obama); 46.6% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 45.7% Democrat (Barack Obama); 52.8% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 17,855
18. Chenango County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 40.9% Democratic; 54.0% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 37.0% Democrat (Joe Biden); 60.1% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 33.6% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 59.1% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 44.7% Democrat (Barack Obama); 46.2% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 48.4% Democrat (Barack Obama); 49.6% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 47,096
17. Livingston County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 40.4% Democratic; 54.1% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 39.4% Democrat (Joe Biden); 57.4% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 35.6% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 57.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 41.5% Democrat (Barack Obama); 47.2% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 45.3% Democrat (Barack Obama); 53.2% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 61,980
16. Montgomery County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 40.4% Democratic; 54.4% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 37.5% Democrat (Joe Biden); 60.0% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 34.6% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 59.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 44.6% Democrat (Barack Obama); 44.2% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 45.0% Democrat (Barack Obama); 53.1% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 49,624
15. Greene County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 39.9% Democratic; 54.5% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 40.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 56.4% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 33.6% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 59.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 41.0% Democrat (Barack Obama); 47.6% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 44.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 54.0% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 48,067
14. Wayne County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 39.7% Democratic; 54.6% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 38.8% Democrat (Joe Biden); 58.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 33.9% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 58.9% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 41.9% Democrat (Barack Obama); 45.9% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 44.3% Democrat (Barack Obama); 54.2% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 91,324
13. Delaware County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 40.4% Democratic; 54.9% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 39.6% Democrat (Joe Biden); 58.0% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 33.5% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 60.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 42.3% Democrat (Barack Obama); 48.7% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 46.4% Democrat (Barack Obama); 51.6% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 44,637
12. Tioga County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 38.9% Democratic; 56.1% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 38.3% Democrat (Joe Biden); 58.8% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 33.8% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 59.5% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 39.6% Democrat (Barack Obama); 51.7% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 44.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 54.3% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 48,344
11. Herkimer County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 37.9% Democratic; 57.7% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 33.6% Democrat (Joe Biden); 63.8% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 30.8% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 63.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 43.2% Democrat (Barack Obama); 48.6% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 44.5% Democrat (Barack Obama); 53.8% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 60,293
10. Cattaraugus County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 37.1% Democratic; 57.8% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 33.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 63.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 30.5% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 63.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 40.4% Democrat (Barack Obama); 49.2% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 43.9% Democrat (Barack Obama); 54.5% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 77,000
9. Schoharie County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 36.1% Democratic; 58.0% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 33.8% Democrat (Joe Biden); 62.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 30.2% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 62.9% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 38.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 49.2% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 41.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 56.1% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 29,970
8. Fulton County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 37.3% Democratic; 58.0% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 32.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 63.9% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 30.6% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 63.5% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 42.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 49.6% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 44.5% Democrat (Barack Obama); 53.7% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 53,280
7. Lewis County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 35.8% Democratic; 59.5% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 29.3% Democrat (Joe Biden); 68.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 27.8% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 65.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 43.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 48.7% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 44.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 53.6% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 26,690
6. Steuben County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 35.8% Democratic; 59.6% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 33.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 63.4% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 29.8% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 63.9% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 39.0% Democrat (Barack Obama); 52.3% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 40.9% Democrat (Barack Obama); 57.8% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 93,584
5. Genesee County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 34.5% Democratic; 59.8% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 32.7% Democrat (Joe Biden); 64.1% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 28.9% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 64.0% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 36.7% Democrat (Barack Obama); 51.8% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 40.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 58.5% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 58,204
4. Orleans County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 33.6% Democratic; 61.2% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 30.5% Democrat (Joe Biden); 66.2% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 27.3% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 66.8% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 37.4% Democrat (Barack Obama); 51.6% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 39.9% Democrat (Barack Obama); 58.6% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 40,148
3. Hamilton County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 33.5% Democratic; 61.9% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 33.8% Democrat (Joe Biden); 63.8% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 29.4% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 64.0% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 35.0% Democrat (Barack Obama); 56.7% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 35.9% Democrat (Barack Obama); 62.8% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 5,090
2. Allegany County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 31.8% Democratic; 62.8% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 28.9% Democrat (Joe Biden); 67.6% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 26.1% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 67.0% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 34.6% Democrat (Barack Obama); 55.3% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 38.2% Democrat (Barack Obama); 60.0% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 47,222
1. Wyoming County
- Average popular vote split in last 4 presidential elections: 29.3% Democratic; 65.8% Republican
- Popular vote split in 2020 election: 26.0% Democrat (Joe Biden); 71.3% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2016 election: 22.6% Democrat (Hillary Clinton); 71.9% Republican (Donald Trump)
- Popular vote split in 2012 election: 32.8% Democrat (Barack Obama); 56.6% Republican (Mitt Romney)
- Popular vote split in 2008 election: 36.1% Democrat (Barack Obama); 62.3% Republican (John McCain)
- County population: 40,338
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