2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state)

2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state) was held on November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election. The state of Washington has a long history of voting for Democratic candidates, with Barack Obama winning the state in both 2008 and 2012. The 2016 Democratic National Convention nominated Hillary Clinton as the Democratic candidate, while the 2016 Republican National Convention nominated Donald Trump as the Republican candidate. The state's voters also had the option to vote for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

Background

The 2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state) was preceded by the primary elections held on May 24, 2016. In the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton won the majority of the votes, while Bernie Sanders came in second. On the Republican side, Donald Trump won the primary, with Ted Cruz and John Kasich coming in second and third, respectively. The state's voters were also influenced by the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and the Senate's failure to pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2015, which aimed to strengthen background checks for gun purchases. The FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton's email use also received significant attention in the state, with many voters citing it as a factor in their decision-making process, similar to the Watergate scandal and the Iran-Contra affair.

Results

The results of the 2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state) showed that Hillary Clinton won the state with a significant margin, receiving over 1,742,718 votes, while Donald Trump received over 1,221,747 votes. The state's electoral votes were awarded to Hillary Clinton, with the state's congressional delegation split between Democrats and Republicans. The results were certified by the Secretary of State and the State Legislature, and were consistent with the national trend, which saw Hillary Clinton win the popular vote but lose the electoral vote to Donald Trump, similar to the outcome of the 2000 United States presidential election and the 1824 United States presidential election. The state's voters also elected Patty Murray to the Senate and Cathy McMorris Rodgers to the House of Representatives.

Analysis by county

An analysis of the results by county showed that Hillary Clinton performed well in the state's urban areas, such as King County and Pierce County, which are home to the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. In contrast, Donald Trump performed well in the state's rural areas, such as Yakima County and Spokane County. The state's Native American reservations, such as the Tulalip Tribes and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, also played a significant role in the election, with many voters citing issues such as Indian gaming and tribal sovereignty as important factors in their decision-making process, similar to the Dawes Act and the Indian Reorganization Act. The University of Washington and Washington State University also conducted polls and analyses of the election, which were cited by The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Voter demographics

The voter demographics in the 2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state) showed that Hillary Clinton performed well among Democratic voters, liberals, and progressives. She also performed well among African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans, who make up a significant portion of the state's population, similar to the California Democratic Party and the New York State Democratic Committee. In contrast, Donald Trump performed well among Republican voters, conservatives, and evangelicals. The state's LGBT community also played a significant role in the election, with many voters citing issues such as same-sex marriage and LGBT rights as important factors in their decision-making process, similar to the Stonewall riots and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Electoral college allocation

The electoral college allocation in the 2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state) was based on the state's congressional apportionment, which is determined by the state's population. The state has a total of 12 electoral votes, which were awarded to Hillary Clinton based on her performance in the state. The electoral college system has been the subject of controversy and debate, with some arguing that it is outdated and should be abolished, similar to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and the Every Vote Counts Amendment. The League of Women Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union have also advocated for reforms to the electoral college system.

Aftermath and legal challenges

The aftermath of the 2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state) saw a number of legal challenges and controversies, including a recount effort led by Jill Stein and a faithless elector movement. The state's Attorney General also filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its travel ban, which was upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The American Bar Association and the National Association of Secretaries of State also issued statements on the election, citing concerns about voter suppression and election security, similar to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Help America Vote Act. The state's voters also continued to be active in politics, with many participating in protests and marches in support of issues such as Climate change and Immigration reform. Category:2016 United States presidential election by state