Age

                Another long-term factor to consider is that of age. In terms of voting behavior, there is a striking generational gap in the states. Younger voters are far more likely to vote Democrat, whereas older voters are more likely to be Republican. In 2012, Obama held a significant lead over Romney throughout all age groups up until the age of 40. This trend is replicated in several comparable democracies throughout the world, in which younger voters are more likely to support progressive parties whereas older people are more inclined towards conservative parties. There is also a striking difference to consider here in terms of voter turnout. Older people are far more likely to vote than younger people, which inevitably plays in the Republicans favor. This is particularly noticeable during mid-term elections, when those groups who lean towards the Democrats (such as minority groups and younger people) are less motivated to go out and vote than they would during a presidential election. During the 2014 mid-terms, 65% of those who went out to vote were aged over 45.

                 The generation gap is most prominent in terms of tolerance towards gay rights. Younger voters are usually more comfortable with diversity in its broadest sense, whereas older voters tend to be more favorable towards traditional social mores. In the defining civil rights issue of the present era, younger people are more likely to support equal rights for gay couples. This even extends to support for gay marriage. Older people however tend to view same-sex marriage as inconsistent with the traditional definition of marriage. Not surprisingly, this division is reflected in terms of voting behavior. In 2012, Obama gained 60% of the under 30 demographic whereas those over the age of 65 preferred Mitt Romney over Obama by a 12% margin.

                In terms of age, the contested ground centers upon those who are middle-aged. The Republican message to this particular constituency is focused upon cutting levels of taxation on income and wealth. Republicans argue that we should retain more of our hard-earned money in order to reward initiative and thereby stimulate the economy. The GOP also expresses traditional values in order to appeal to a middle-aged demographic. The Democrats however emphasize the assistance provided by the state to those who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly within the workplace. In the 2012 election, middle-aged voters from the ages of 40 to 49 were the most evenly divided in the country – preferring Romney to Obama by a mere 2%.