ELECTORAL VOTES 5

2008 ELECTION Swing State

ABOUT
NEW MEXICO

New Mexico joined the Union in January 1912. It has participated in 24 presidential elections through 2004, with the results split 12-12 between Republicans and Democrats. However, the state has sided with the Democrats in three of the last four elections, the exception being 2004 when George W. Bush defeated John Kerry by 0.8%. The result is likely to be close again in 2008, and New Mexico is squarely in the swing state category. Whichever party they’ve chosen, New Mexico voters have been remarkably good at siding with the winning candidate, only getting it wrong in 1976 (Gerald Ford) and 2000 (George W. Bush).