Virginia and Mississippi in 1976

[Nym90]

The Mississippi result in 1976 is odd; not sure how to explain the disparity with Alabama, especially since there was none in 1980.

There were actually a few counties in MS that flipped from Ford in 1976 to Carter in 1980. Anyone care to explain those?

[Nym90]

Yeah, increased black turnout probably was the cause; maybe Reagan's speech arguing strongly for states' rights, which occurred in Mississippi, made a difference.

Looking at the swing map, almost all of western Mississippi swung towards Carter in 1980, and that's the part of the state with the heaviest black population, is it not?

Though it's not entirely regional; some strong Carter swings in eastern MS in counties that were bordered by strong Reagan swinging counties. Probably the black/white divide again, I suppose.

[Nym90]

While we're discussing swings to Carter in 1980, can anyone explain Plaquemines Parish, LA? A 27 point swing to Carter in 1980 followed by a 29 point swing to Reagan in 1984....very odd.