In how many states does your vote "really matter?"

[sg0508]

I suppose this goes back to the old, is the electoral college still a good way to elect the president? In this day of polarization, probably 35 states are decided for 2016 as we speak today. 

We complain that only 50-55% of Americans on average go to the polls during an election year, but that's pretty sad if you ask me. 

Yes, there are some states that have voted for one party but remain halfway competitive (i.e. PA, AZ, GA, IA, WI, etc.), but there are just way too many states out of play already.  Then again, in the days of the solid Democratic South, the same could be said. 

[SingingAnalyst]

Matters most: OH, FL (close states with lots of electoral votes)
Matters a lot: NH, WI, IA, CO, NV (close states that have gone both ways recently)
Matters quite a bit: PA, MO, NM, OR (voted consistently for one party in last several elections, but still potential for surprise)
Other states: your vote for dogcatcher might still matter. ;-)

[ElectionsGuy]

Well if I vote libertarian my vote will never real "matter", but if I vote Republican or Democrat it might (but WI hasn't gone R since '84). If I plan on moving to another state someday (likely a red state), my vote will matter even less.

I would say this, but it depends on the election and where you want to draw the line. There is also a scale, a vote in Ohio is worth more than a vote in Minnesota.