States on the VoteMatch Spectrum

[Free Bird]

I did this a while ago, but figured I'd bring it back since I have more insight. So, where would individual states rank on the VoteMatch spectrum? For instance, I would call Pennsylvania a Moderate Populist state, Idaho/Alaska a Libertarian Conservative state, etc.

[Holmes]

I wouldn't classify any state under the "libertarian" banner. Especially not Idaho.

[Free Bird]

I wouldn't classify any state under the "libertarian" banner. Especially not Idaho.

In tendencies, not voting patterns. I'd say you could. New Hampshire is like Missouri for Democrats voting wise, but has libertarian laws.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

A very common fallacy is mountainous or agrarian = libertarian

[publicunofficial]

Ah, the Great Myth of the Libertarian State.

[Del Tachi]

I think most of the Deep South would score as I do:  Moderate Populist Conservative. 

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

A very common fallacy is mountainous or agrarian = libertarian

wouldn't it be mountainous=libertarian, agrarian=communitarian?

[Skill and Chance]

A very common fallacy is mountainous or agrarian = libertarian

wouldn't it be mountainous=libertarian, agrarian=communitarian?

I agree the mountains = libertarian relationship is quite strong.  Curiously, this seems to hold up even with high-density areas in or near the mountains.  Denver/Boulder is clearly the most libertarian large metro area in the country.

The agrarian situation is more complicated.  Keep in mind that even in 1900, 40% of Americans still farmed.  The idea of agriculture having a single common identity would sound odd prior to 1965 and especially absurd prior to 1935.  I think it comes down to the following: plantation agriculture = conservative, dryland agriculture (high plains ranching, irrigation, etc.) = libertarian, midland agriculture (relatively small, often family-owned plots in close proximity, town meetings, etc.) = communitarian and often devoutly religious, can go hardcore religious left during economic downturns. 

[Rockefeller GOP]

I think most of the Deep South would score as I do:  Moderate Populist Conservative. 

Exactly why they need to have a HECK of a lot less sway on the GOP.  The Deep South has been toxic for whatever party it's been loyal to.

[pbrower2a]

We need quantification.

Do we remember the "Is Connecticut the Best State?" It gave off much heat, but at least people were using numbers that quantified the social realities between states. Some of us drew conclusions that others disliked.

[Badger]

A very common fallacy is mountainous or agrarian = libertarian

[Mr. Illini]

Considering the large Mormon population and its staunch social conservatism, I don't know why Idaho would make your list of most libertarian states.

Alaska actually does have pretty libertarian tendencies. Few continental states do, with the exception of a tinge of it in Colorado.

[sparkey]

Mercatus does a pretty good job of quantifying how libertarian the laws are in each state: http://freedominthe50states.org/
They have:
1. North Dakota
2. South Dakota
3. Tennessee
4. New Hampshire
5. Oklahoma
...
46. Rhode Island
47. Hawaii
48. New Jersey
49. California
50. New York

They do tend to balance things in favor of fiscal/regulatory issues, though. Restricting their rankings to only personal freedom issues gives:
1. Alaska
2. Nevada
3. Maine
4. New Mexico
5. New Hampshire
...
46. South Dakota
47. California
48. New York
49. Maryland
50. Illinois

The top 5 in the personal freedoms-only list is a bit closer to the states I would name if I was thinking of the 5 most libertarian states.