Election Center

CNN Electoral Map

The map below displays CNN's best estimate of the key states that will likely decide the 2012 presidential election. Determining what qualifies as a battleground state is not an exact science and is the result of a rough mix of several criteria. The map will be updated as the campaign progresses. (Map last updated: January 31, 2012)

Safe/likely Democratic states (total electoral votes: 196)
Safe/likely Republican states (total electoral votes: 159)
Battleground states (total electoral votes: 183)
Total electoral votes needed to win the presidency: 270
alabama alaska arizona arkansas california colorado connecticut connecticut delaware delaware dc florida georgia hawaii idaho illinois indiana iowa kansas kentucky louisiana maine maryland maryland massachusetts massachusetts michigan minnesota mississippi missouri montana nebraska nevada new hampshire new hampshire new jersey new jersey new mexico new york north carolina north dakota ohio oklahoma oregon pennsylvania rhode island rhode island south carolina south dakota tennessee texas utah vermont vermont virginia washington west virginia wisconsin wyoming