Partisan Places: Movers and Stayers Across America

Below the surface of America’s polarized, hyper-competitive standoff between the national Republican and Democratic parties, a dramatic partisan change is occurring at the local and state level. In Partisan Places, Irwin L. Morris describes the shift in American politics caused by domestic migration patterns. Places with growing populations are becoming more Democratic, while places with declining or stagnating communities are increasingly Republican. These partisan shifts are primarily a function of the demographic profile of movers--who tend to be younger, more educated, more racially diverse, and more Democratic than stayers who remain in their hometowns. Interestingly, this phenomenon is occurring regardless of a place’s status as urban or rural: higher rates of immigration from other states or counties results in more Democratic support, while more emigration, especially in predominantly White communities, fosters Republican strength. Morris’ analysis has significant implications for the future trajectory of party competition in the US, indicating that the Republican party should aim to attract ＂mover＂ support to remain competitive. With case studies from across the nation, Partisan Places lays a foundation for understanding the evolving geography of American politics.

Irwin L. Morris is William T. Kretzer Distinguished Professor of Humanities and Executive Director and Department Head of the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University. His research covers a range of American institutions and political behavior, with a focus on Southern politics. He is the author of Movers and Stayers: The Partisan Transformation of Twenty-First Century Southern Politics (Oxford University Press, 2021), which won the Southern Political Science Association’s 2022 V.O. Key Award for the best book on Southern politics.