A completely batsh[inks] realignment occurs, in which the AOC wing of the Democratic Party and the Evangelical wing of the Republican Party join forces to nominate L.D. Smith. In the face of this sudden emergence of a Christian Socialist movement, the remaining #SECULAR HEROES and economically moderate voters join forces behind the obvious candidate: Goldwater.
This election puts America to a major test: Who do we hate more, atheists or socialists? It's honestly hard to decide. Ultimately, the nation elects L.D. Smith by a slim electoral vote margin, but not before a number of states drastically shift and realign themselves along this new partisan axis. New York proves decisive, voting for Smith by an slim margin thanks to controversial Goldwater made about not being willing to live anywhere north of NYC because "it's too dann cold up there".