Each election cycle, Americans often hear about the battleground states that could make or break party control of the White House and Congress. This list usually consists of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. However, the South as a whole is usually left out of conversations about political competitiveness, as it is seen as a Republican stronghold, where the Democrats have no chance of winning. This has led to a lack of consistent high-level investment by the Party as State Democratic Party expenditures highlight that these swing states spent tens of millions of dollars during the 2024 election cycle, while some Southern states only spent a few hundred thousand.¹ This uneven investment and limited presence in the South coincides with low voter turnout, where roughly 30-45% of eligible Southern voters chose not to participate in the election.² This under-engagement displays the oversight of a region, not only as a strategic failure, but as key to upholding democracy for the nation. The Democratic Party cannot simply view the South as a lost cause but as a place of progress and opportunity. The Democratic Party must make a commitment to mobilization in the South by directly addressing voter disengagement and disillusionment and facilitating sustained grassroots organizing, specifically among youth, to provide benefits that the entire country will see.

The belief that Democrats cannot win the South has been ingrained into American politics for decades, but it stems from a long history of political realignment. For nearly a century after the Civil War, the South was a stronghold for the Democratic Party, ingrained in the region’s political psyche since the Jacksonian era. However, when President John F. Kennedy began proposing anti-discrimination legislation and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed sweeping civil rights reforms, the Democratic Party was seen as the party to embrace the issue of civil rights as part of its platform. The saliency of civil rights as not just a social issue but also a political one led many voters in Southern states to abandon the party.³ Republican gains in the region were strengthened in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to President Richard Nixon's “Southern Strategy,” which appealed to racial fear through calls for “law and order.”⁴ However, these shifts were not enough to make the South completely turn its back on Democratic candidates. In 1976, President Jimmy Carter, a Southern Democrat, swept the region, showing that it remained a competitive area.⁵ It was not until the 1980s, under President Ronald Reagan, that the South became dominated by Republicans. By fusing racial politics with other conservative positions on gender roles, abortion, and small government, the South began to resemble its modern political landscape we recognize today.⁶

However, major Democratic victories have still occurred, and with increased organizing and the right strategy, these wins can continue. Although it ultimately went red in the presidential election, one notable Southern state that delivered wins for the Democrats is North Carolina. By winning numerous highly competitive down-ballot races, breaking the Republican supermajority in the North Carolina State House, Democrats now prevent the Republican legislatures from overriding vetoes from the Democratic governor.⁷ Perhaps the most dramatic race in the state was the North Carolina Supreme Court race, where Justice Allison Riggs defeated her Republican opponent Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes.⁸ After the election, Griffin began a lengthy legal battle to challenge the results and throw out the votes of more than 65,000 people based on claims of incomplete voter registration, lack of photo identification for military and overseas voters, and ballots being cast by voters who he claimed never lived in North Carolina at all. Six months later, and after various lawsuits filed by Democratic organizations to protect these votes, a federal judge ruled in favor of Riggs.⁹ Griffin conceded the North Carolina Supreme Court race, and Riggs was sworn in this past May.¹⁰ Additionally, Southern Democrats have also made important gains in the United States Senate. Notable races include the 2020 Georgia Senate race, where Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock defeated two incumbent Republicans.¹¹ Furthermore, President Joe Biden was able to take the state in the 2020 presidential election. This was the first time in nearly 30 years that Georgia supported a Democratic presidential candidate since President Bill Clinton’s win in 1992.¹² In each of these three races, the margins were slim; however, they were not coincidental. They were made possible by local efforts to engage voters in the electoral process. 

These victories show what is possible for the future of Democratic politics in the South, but to continue these wins, Democrats must understand why the region is worth investing in. Firstly, the South is experiencing accelerated population growth compared to other U.S. regions, making it a strategic place for Democrats to connect with a changing electorate.¹³ This population increase has been caused by factors such as the region’s lower cost of living and increased job opportunities.¹⁴ Younger Americans, a group with which the Party has a large edge, are especially moving to all parts of the South, as seen particularly in the rapid urbanization of Southern cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Austin, reshaping the political landscape and creating new progressive hubs. Moreover, the South’s potential is being reshaped by exurbanization, as people relocate from cities to smaller and rural places. The South also has historic racial diversity, which is still increasing today. In the last decade, 87 percent of Southern counties have seen a population increase in Black and other minority residents, another staple demographic of the Democratic coalition.¹⁵ By mobilizing these historically democratic voting blocs, there is a path for electoral success for the Democratic Party. 

The region also has immense potential because these demographic changes can reshape the country’s entire political make-up. Current projections for the 2030 Census show that several Southern states are looking to gain as many as nine additional seats after the reapportionment in the House of Representatives, which would be the largest gain for the South in 10 years in history. Conversely, many Democratic stronghold states are projected to lose representation due to population outflow.¹⁶ If Democrats fail to organize in the region, they are allowing Republicans to continue to dominate it. Democratic investment in the South ensures not only that more progressive voices are heard in Congress but also that decisive Southern states can play a more direct role in determining presidential races through the Electoral College. 

However, simply relying on the votes of specific demographics, without true engagement, risks leaving many voters behind. While the South has proven to be a region of great potential for Democrats, the inability to see shortcomings has led to electoral defeats. The failure to create genuine relationships with constituents within Southern communities has created a sense of frustration particularly among key demographics such as Black and Hispanic voters who are often taken for granted as reliably Democratic. This often entails transactional outreach and engagement during election season rather than a long-term investment that shows these voters that their priorities and needs are being addressed and heard. As a result, many of them feel valued for their vote, but overlooked when it comes to policymaking that could benefit their communities. The 2024 presidential election cycle highlighted this, as Democrats lost ground with this crucial part of their electorate. Post-election data has displayed that the party’s lead over Republicans in Black and Hispanic party preferences has decreased.¹⁷ While this trend is not confined only to the South, this is particularly crucial for the region defined by its racial diversity.

Furthermore, although they are a powerful voting bloc, rural voters are often overlooked by the Democratic Party. In 2000, the Republican Party held a slight advantage with this community, with 51% of rural voters leaning or identifying as Republican and 45% leaning or identifying with the Democratic Party.¹⁸ Since then, Republican gains have grown in the region, and while this trend is clear, research done by Colby College highlights that, unlike stereotypes which often depict rural Americans as ideologically extreme, only 10 percent of them display overwhelmingly partisan tendencies. As it relates to most policies, they maintain positions that are in alignment with broader American opinion.¹⁹ Instead of using this to their advantage, Democrats continue to prioritize organizing in urban and suburban areas. However, leaving this group out of the conversation has caused increased frustration, which is particularly harmful as rural Americans also make up 20 percent of the overall electorate.²⁰ Many feel that Democratic engagement in their communities lacks clear messaging that communicates how policies will benefit them locally. Conversely, Republican messaging can feel more compelling and emotionally resonant.. A 2024 study by the Rural Voter Institute found that many rural voters “perceived Democrats largely as policy-driven and Republicans as values-driven,” causing Democrats to seem out of touch with rural communities. The study also displayed that participants were skeptical to believe positive Democratic policy as fact, such as economic policies under President Joe Biden. This information came alongside finding that the economy is one of the rural communities main concerns.²¹ This underscores a lack of clear communication about how Democratic policy is improving the lives of everyday Americans. 

While this study is not exclusive to the South, its findings echo comments made by many Southern rural voters following the 2024 election. In interviews conducted by Capital B, disillusionment with the Democratic Party became clearer. Rural North Carolina Mayor W. Mondale Robsinson stated that the lack of genuine Democratic visibility in their areas reinforced the disconnect between the Party and this voting bloc. Moreover, Rural Georgia voter and canvasser Keith McCants claimed that simple slogans resonated more.²²

To aid in addressing these complex issues, Democrats can invest in the South through strategic organizing. First, Democrats must maintain a year-round presence in the South to showcase that they care about voters beyond election season. Increased community events, such as town halls and listening sessions, will allow Democrats to engage in conversation with voters who feel disconnected from party leaders and learn more about the issues most important to them. With many southern voters feeling misunderstood or stereotyped by the Party’s leaders and supporters, it is necessary to have an increased presence not just in areas where Democrats have an edge. Speaking to southern voters directly allows them the opportunity to voice their concerns and crack down on the idea that Democrats are out of touch with Southern needs.  Additionally, Democrats should make an effort to use straightforward messaging in civic education platforms and campaigning, instead of using heavy jargon or policy-heavy terms that do not resonate with everyday issues. From school and hospital funding to rising costs and stagnant wages, Democrats must make their messaging more specific and relevant to each community at hand to leave an impact on things that voters deal with constantly.  

Another way to achieve Southern gains is by consistently supporting youth-led grassroots organizations to make national issues feel more relevant to local communities. Many Southern Democratic groups have shown the power of local organizing, but the next generation of leaders needs the infrastructure to get involved. Increased financial support and resources could magnify the successes by equipping the next generation of leaders with tools to participate in elections and build lasting civic engagement. For example, Organize for Democracy, a program created by Blue Future and Grassroots Democrats HQ in 2021, offers paid training sessions to teach young people 16-25 how to interact with their communities through phonebanking, fundraising, and digital organizing.²³ This provides skills that will allow young organizers to connect with their peers who are becoming a larger share of the electorate as more members of Generation Z become of voting age and are moving to the South. This would lead to increased voter turnout, thus resulting in more election wins for Democrats down the ballot.

Additionally, college campus organizations affiliated with the Democratic Party are crucial in mobilizing young voters. While many of them put in effort to spearhead voter registration and advocacy events, Southern and rural chapters often lack funding or strategic coordination from their state or local Democratic organizations to maintain consistent infrastructure. Providing these chapters with more support can ensure that their work is amplified. This is particularly important as many college students are first-time voters and those from outside the region. Many may feel unfamiliar with and disconnected from Southern politics and the communities in which they now live. Strengthening student-led Democratic organizations will allow them to educate their peers on campus about the needs of the Southern college towns and encourage them to vote locally in areas where their vote may be even more decisive. 

Doing these things may be challenging, but they are far from impossible. These changes will translate into real wins, especially in down-ballot races, which are more important than ever in the South. While these races may not receive national attention, local and state officials shape the everyday lives of Southern citizens, including redistricting, reproductive rights, voting laws, and education policy. By putting limited time and resources into the South, Democrats not only cede vital political ground but also fail to fight for the rights of Southern Americans. In this regressive political climate, Democratic leaders are needed on the frontlines of the South to protect democracy.

The South should not be viewed by the Democratic Party as a lost cause, but rather as a political opportunity that cannot be ignored to uphold our democracy. Powerful coalitions have shown that Democratic electoral wins in the South are possible. Democrats must invest in often overlooked Southern communities by increasing engagement beyond presidential elections. By strengthening connections with constituencies on a local level, winning down-ballot races in the South creates the potential to impact the nation. If the Democratic Party wants to succeed in creating lasting power, it must look beyond the easy wins and commit to building long-term investment in the South, where both the stakes and opportunity for change are great.

Works Cited:

1.  “Democratic Party Fundraising Overview.” OpenSecrets, 2024, www.opensecrets.org/political-parties/DPC/2024/summary.

2.  “Election Results, 2024: Analysis of Voter Turnout in the 2024 General Election.” Ballotpedia, 2024, ballotpedia.org/Election_results%2C_2024%3A_Analysis_of_voter_turnout_in_the_2024_general_election?

3.  Kuziemko, Ilyana, and Ebonya Washington. “Why Did the Democrats Lose the South? Bringing New Data to an Old Debate | Princeton University - Department of Economics.” Department of Economics - Princeton University, 28 Oct. 2020, economics.princeton.edu/working-papers/why-did-the-democrats-lose-the-south-bringing-new-data-to-an-old-debate/.

4.  Maxwell, Angie. “What We Get Wrong about the Southern Strategy.” The Washington Post, 26 July 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/26/what-we-get-wrong-about-southern-strategy/.

5.  Fausset, Richard. “After Jimmy Carter Won the Presidency, Democrats Lost the South.” The New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/us/jimmy-carter-democrats-republicans-south.html.

6.  Kuziemko, Ilyana, and Ebonya Washington. “Why Did the Democrats Lose the South? Bringing New Data to an Old Debate | Princeton University - Department of Economics.” Department of Economics - Princeton University, 28 Oct. 2020, economics.princeton.edu/working-papers/why-did-the-democrats-lose-the-south-bringing-new-data-to-an-old-debate/.

7.  Sherman, Lucille. “NC Democrats Break GOP Legislative Supermajority.” Axios, Axios Raleigh, 6 Nov. 2024, www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/11/06/nc-democrats-break-gop-legislative-supermajority. 

8.  Doran, Will. “Allison Riggs Sworn in to NC Supreme Court after Six-Month Legal Battle.” WRAL.com, WRAL, 12 May 2025, www.wral.com/story/allison-riggs-sworn-in-to-nc-supreme-court-after-six-month-legal-battle/22003887/. 

9.  “NC State Supreme Court 65K Voter Challenge - Democracy NC.” Democracy NC, 7 May 2025, democracync.org/nc-state-supreme-court-voter-challenge/.

10.  Doran, Will. “Allison Riggs Sworn in to NC Supreme Court after Six-Month Legal Battle.” WRAL.com, WRAL, 12 May 2025, www.wral.com/story/allison-riggs-sworn-in-to-nc-supreme-court-after-six-month-legal-battle/22003887/. 

11.  Peoples, Steve, et al. “Warnock, Ossoff Win in Georgia, Handing Dems Senate Control.” AP NEWS, 6 Jan. 2021, apnews.com/article/Georgia-election-results-4b82ba7ee3cc74d33e68daadaee2cbf3.

12.  Sang, Lucia Suarez. “Revisit Georgia Election Results from 2020 and 2016 ahead of 2024 Election Day.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/news/revisit-georgia-election-results/.

13.  Bureau, US Census. “Population Growth Reported across Cities and Towns in All U.S. Regions.” Census.gov, 15 May 2025, www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/vintage-2024-popest.html.

14.  The Feed. “Americans Are Migrating to the Southern States in Droves, What Is the Reason? Here Are Some Startling Fact.” The Economic Times, Economic Times, 2 Dec. 2024, economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/americans-are-migrating-to-the-southern-states-in-droves-what-is-the-reason-here-are-some-startling-facts/articleshow/115906900.cms?from=mdr.

15.  London School of Economics, et al. “Population Trends Mean That We May Be Seeing the Beginnings of a Return to a Two-Party South | USAPP.” USAPP | American Politics and Policy, 30 May 2024, blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2024/05/30/population-trends-mean-that-we-may-be-seeing-the-beginnings-of-a-return-to-a-two-party-south/. Accessed 10 June 2025.

16. Brennan Center for Justice, and Michael Li. “Big Changes Ahead for Voting Maps after next Census.” Brennan Center for Justice, 19 Dec. 2024, www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/big-changes-ahead-voting-maps-after-next-census.

17.  Jones, Jeffery , and Lydia Saad. “Democrats Lose Ground with Black and Hispanic Adults.” Gallup.com, 7 Feb. 2024, news.gallup.com/poll/609776/democrats-lose-ground-black-hispanic-adults.aspx.

18.  Pew Research Center. “Partisanship in Rural, Suburban and Urban Communities.” Pew Research Center - U.S. Politics & Policy, 9 Apr. 2024, www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/04/09/partisanship-in-rural-suburban-and-urban-communities/.

19.  Meader, Laura. “Understanding the Rural Voter.” Colby News, 17 Jan. 2024, news.colby.edu/story/understanding-the-rural-voter/.

20. Ibid.

21.  “2024 Blueprint for Rural and Small-Town Voter Communication.” Rural Voter Institute, 2024.

22.  Wright, Aallyah. “Some Black Rural Voters Feel Abandoned by Democrats.” Capital B News, 20 Nov. 2024, capitalbnews.org/democrats-rural-voter-turnout/.

23.  “Organize for Democracy.” Grassroots Democrats HQ, 3 June 2025, grassrootsdems.org/organize-for-democracy/.