In Howard County, Maryland, the last presidential election saw a majority of people voting for Democrats, with the Republican Party coming in second and other parties making up the remaining percentage. The Department of Comprehensive and Community Planning (DCCP) works to create plans for great places in collaboration with DPZ staff members, other state and county agencies, and residents and their elected officials. These plans provide an overview of specific areas and promote sustainable, vibrant, healthy, and active communities throughout Howard County. In addition to the heavily Republican states, there are also several “undecided” states where the outcome of the presidential elections is less predictable.
These states include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The political trends of these states may vary depending on a variety of factors such as demographics, the strength of local political organizations, and the particular issues at stake in a given election. Wisconsin is often considered a battleground due to its fluctuating political trends and both parties campaign intensively in the state during presidential elections. Red states tend to be more conservative in their policies and focus on smaller government, individual freedom, and lower taxes. Arizona is an increasingly competitive state due to its growing population of Latino and young voters which could potentially upset the political balance in the state.
There are several other major shopping malls in eastern Columbia such as the Dobbin Center Shopping Center (opened in 1983), Snowden Square (in what is left of GE's industrial plant), Columbia Crossing I and II (opened in 1997), and Gateway Overlook (inaugurated in 1967). Columbia's goal was not only to eliminate the drawbacks of the then-current subdivision design but also to eliminate racial, religious, and class segregation. Regional authorities in the Baltimore and Washington DC metropolitan areas have created an air quality outreach website called Air-Watch which provides easy access to information about air quality, educates people about potential health risks related to air pollution, and raises awareness while encouraging people to actively participate in finding solutions to air pollution. In addition to its original campus in Columbia, it now has satellite campuses in Mount Airy, Laurel and East Columbia in the Columbia Gateway Business Park. South Dakota has a small population but its location in the upper Midwest and its role in producing crops such as corn and soybeans make it a key state in national politics. The Columbia Mall located in the center of the city is a large regional mall with three main department stores (Nordstrom, Macy's, and JCPenney), a multiplex movie theater, and more than 200 stores and restaurants. Considering recent electoral patterns and trends provides a useful snapshot of the current political landscape in the United States.
In addition, Utah's population has grown rapidly with an influx of people moving from other areas of the country which could also change the political landscape in the coming years. Undecided states are those that do not consistently vote for one political party over another in national elections.
