Clark County, Arkansas

[GlobeSoc]

This county seems very confusing to me. It is 70% white, highly rural and yet:

-Clinton broke 40%

-Trump did not get a turnout surge, and in fact got almost no improvement on Romney's numbers

-6% of the electorate voted for 3rd parties, more than any counties surrounding it

-Eldridge won the county in the senate race by 2 points, and even when most of Arkansas had a large pro-incumbent swing in that race, Clark barely shifted.

Is there something differentiating this county from most of the rest? 

[GlobeSoc]

Also, while I'm talking about weird Arkansas counties, why did ~30% of voters in Woodruff split their tickets? Was Eldridge a representative there, are there just a ton of silents still alive and voting for 'muh local dem'?

Edited because stupidity

[Adam Griffin]

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[cinyc]

There are 2 colleges in the county seat, Arkadelphia - though one is a baptist college.  Perhaps that has something to do with it?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

There are 2 colleges in the county seat, Arkadelphia - though one is a baptist college.  Perhaps that has something to do with it?

I think you are right, definitely a large number of young adults in the county.  This part of the state also has a greater proportion of whites who are Democrats than further North.  The county voted for Kerry, gave Obama 46% in 2008, and was one of the best for McGovern in 72.

[Pollster]

Notable that this county also went 50-45 for Blanche Lincoln in 2010 despite her infamous landslide defeat statewide.