But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Episode: What are Red States and Blue States?
Release Date: October 4, 2024
Host: Jane Lindholm
Guest: Bridget King, Political Scientist at the University of Kentucky

Introduction to Political Science and Voting

In this episode of But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, host Jane Lindholm delves into the realm of political science to answer questions about voting, electoral processes, and the significance of red and blue states in the United States. Joining her is Bridget King, a political scientist from the University of Kentucky, who provides expert insights into the mechanics of elections and voter participation.

What is Voting?

Ellie, a five-year-old from Cambridge, Massachusetts, asks, "What is voting?" (02:29).

Bridget King explains at [02:38]:
"Voting is how you tell people in elected office or people who will be in elected office who you want there, what you care about, what issues matter to you."

Jane elaborates further on the voting process, detailing how ballots work and the importance of registering to vote. She emphasizes that voting isn't just for choosing leaders but also for making decisions on local issues, budgets, and laws.

Absentee Ballots and Voting Accessibility

At [04:00], Bridget King discusses absentee ballots:
"Absentee ballots basically give you an opportunity to not vote in person... it's a way for you to still cast a ballot, same way you would vote if you voted in person, but to do it in a different time frame that accommodates your schedule."

She highlights that absentee ballots also facilitate voting for citizens overseas, ensuring broader participation in democracy.

The Importance of Voting

Aila from Colorado asks, "Why do people vote?" (06:12).

Bridget King responds at [06:19]:
"Voting creates an opportunity for citizens to express their choices, their desires, and things that they want to see happen... voting is something that we do in a democracy because it allows citizens to actively participate in government."

Jane reinforces the concept by stating that voting is fundamental to democracy, enabling citizens to influence governmental decisions and priorities.

Understanding the Electoral College

Rena, from Houston, Texas, poses a complex question at [07:01]:
"How can someone win the most votes in a state in America but still lose a presidential election?"

Jane addresses the confusion at [07:15]:
"When we vote for president, it doesn't mean all the votes of everyone in the United States get added together and counted. Each state gets counted separately, and a small group of people called the Electoral College are the people who actually get to vote for who becomes our president."

Bridget King provides a detailed explanation at [07:49]:
"The popular vote is then changed into an electoral vote, which is based on the outcome of who wins the popular vote in the state. You need electors to become president."

Jane further clarifies the necessity of securing 270 out of 538 Electoral College votes to win the presidency, highlighting historical instances where candidates won the popular vote but lost the election due to the Electoral College system.

Red States and Blue States Explained

Isaac, an eight-year-old from Colorado, asks at [12:54]:
"Why are there color states like red and blue?"

Bridget King responds at [13:18]:
"The language of red states and blue states wasn't really agreed upon until the 2000 presidential election... Democrats would be described as blue and Republicans as red."

Jane adds at [15:30]:
"So, a red State is a state that pretty consistently goes for a Republican presidential candidate. And a blue state pretty typically goes for the Democrat who's running for president."

They also discuss "purple states" or "swing states," which do not consistently vote for a single party and are crucial battlegrounds during elections.

Symbolism in Politics: Elephants and Donkeys

Jane introduces another element of political symbolism at [17:10]:
"We also have animals that represent political parties. There's an elephant for Republicans and a donkey for Democrats. What's that all about?"

Bridget King explains at [17:10]:
"They actually derive from a cartoon... the donkey represents the Democratic Party and the elephant represents the Republican Party. Over time, these symbols became widely recognized and adopted by the parties themselves."

The Role of States in Election Processes

Bridget King discusses the autonomy of states in election processes at [19:45]:
"The Constitution provides the states with the authority to determine election processes and procedures. This allows states to create systems that reflect the preferences of their voters."

Jane questions the fairness of categorizing states by color, to which Bridget responds at [21:13]:
"Red states and blue states are a good way to describe where the majority of voters in a place cast their ballots, but it can exclude those who don't vote with the majority."

Voting Eligibility and Civic Engagement

Elizabeth, a four-year-old from St. Albans, Vermont, and Benjamin, a seven-year-old from Brewster, New York, ask why kids can't vote (23:04).

Bridget King addresses this at [23:25]:
"The voting age in the United States has not always been 18... one reason younger children can't participate is the belief that individuals need enough information to understand the offices and issues they’re voting on."

She encourages civic engagement through education and participation in school-related activities like student council elections, fostering a sense of involvement before reaching voting age.

Historical Context and Future of Voting

Bridget highlights the evolution of voting rights in the U.S. at [24:31]:
"Our history has some not so great voting records. People of color have not been allowed to vote... it’s not set in stone and we have made changes over the course of history."

She emphasizes the importance of advocacy and education in continuing to expand and protect voting rights.

Conclusion and Future Topics

Jane wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage in conversations about elections and civic participation. She teases the next episode, which will delve deeper into voting machines and the integrity of vote counting, ensuring listeners understand the importance of trust in the electoral process.

Notable Quotes:

• Bridget King at [07:49]:
  "The popular vote is then changed into an electoral vote, which is based on the outcome of who wins the popular vote in the state."

• Bridget King at [13:18]:
  "Democrats would be described as blue and Republicans as red."

• Bridget King at [21:57]:
  "When we talk about states using these colors as descriptors, there's the potential to ignore or for people who don't necessarily vote in accordance with the color of their state to feel like they're not as much a part of the process."

Final Thoughts

This episode of But Why provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. voting system, the significance of red and blue states, and the underlying mechanisms of the Electoral College. Through engaging explanations and accessible language, Bridget King equips young listeners with a foundational understanding of American politics and the importance of active civic participation.

Stay Curious!
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