ELECTORAL VOTES 10

2008 ELECTION Leaning McCain

ABOUT
ARIZONA

Arizona joined the Union in February 1912 as the 48th state and final piece of the continental United States. The state has traditionally gone Republican in presidential elections. Except for Bill Clinton’s win in 1996, Arizona has voted Republican since 1952. In 2004, George Bush won by 10.5% over John Kerry. The Grand Canyon State’s population has grown rapidly in the past half century, and it’s number of electoral votes has climbed from four votes in 1960 to 10 today. That number will likely increase to 11 in 2012, pending the outcome of the 2010 census. While Arizona will probably go “red” in 2008 (particularly with home-state Senator John McCain as the likely Republican nominee), the changing composition of the population may lead to it being considered as more of a swing state in future elections.