What is a swing state? Where red and blue make purple on the electoral map.

Swing states are often key components in winning a presidential election. While most of the nation is firmly in one camp or another, for example, California has been a blue state (Democratic) since 1992, and Alabama's electoral votes have belonged to the GOP for the last four decades, other states may go red one year and blue the next, often based on changing demographics.

More:Six states are toss ups, one leans 'likely Republican' ahead of the 2024 election`

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What is a swing state?

Swing states, also referred to as purple or battleground states, are unpredictable in presidential elections, making their votes highly valuable in the quest for the White House. Both the GOP and Democratic Party receive comparable voter support in these states, leading to intense campaigning between now and Election Day, Nov. 5.

For the 2024 race, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are the six states considered "must-wins" by both mainstream political parties to secure the 270 election votes required for the presidency.

More:A GOP presidential candidate hasn't won Minnesota in decades. Could it go purple in 2024?

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• Florida helped elect George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, flipped blue for both of Barack Obama's terms and then back to red for Donald Trump.
• Georgia became a swing state in 2020, flipping for President Joe Biden after voting red since 1972.
• President Joe Biden also managed to flip Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in 2020, which all voted for Donald Trump in 2016.

Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser.