Definition

A state reliably voting Democratic in presidential elections, colored blue on electoral maps because red was already taken and purple seemed too optimistic. It's geographic shorthand for assuming political beliefs based on where people buy overpriced real estate.

Example Usage

As a blue state, California's electoral votes were taken for granted by Democrats, who focused their campaign resources on states that might actually swing.

Origin

Standardized by TV networks during the 2000 election, though the color assignment was arbitrary and inconsistent before then

Fun Fact

The blue/red state division is barely two decades old, yet people treat it like an eternal geographic truth carved in stone tablets.

Source: Electoral mapping terminology

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