Clallam County’s Bellwether Status Tested in 2024 Elections

Clallam County in Washington state, known for its unique status as the nation’s last remaining bellwether county, is once again under the national spotlight as the 2024 general elections unfold. A bellwether county is one that consistently predicts the winning presidential candidate, and Clallam County has maintained this distinction since 1980, voting for the winner in every presidential election up to 2020.

The county, with a population of less than 80,000 residents, is characterized by its older demographic and ideological diversity. Despite not being demographically representative of the country, Clallam County’s voters have shown a tendency to cross party lines, making it a “purple” county where both major political parties have similar levels of support. In previous elections, the county has voted for the winning candidate by very slim margins, such as 0.38 percentage points for Barack Obama in 2012 and 3.37 percentage points for Joe Biden in 2020.

As of the latest updates, the official results from the November 5 general election are still being tallied. Clallam County’s election office has provided unofficial results, with further certification meetings scheduled for later in November. The county’s ballots were mailed out on October 16, and voters could register or update their addresses in person until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

The predictive powers of Clallam County are a subject of interest, with local residents attributing the county’s consistency to its diverse attitudes and the practical nature of its voters. However, the outcome of the 2024 election remains uncertain, with some predicting a continuation of the county’s bellwether status and others speculating a potential break from the trend.

Given the close nature of the national presidential race, all eyes are on Clallam County to see whether it will retain its unique status as a predictor of the presidential winner.