Fewer voters in San Diego and Imperial counties voted for the Democrat presidential candidate in 2024 than in the two elections before that. And while President-elect Donald Trump mostly held his coalition, he saw gains in some communities where Democrats lost ground.
As part of the Public Matters partnership, our journalists spoke to people who live in the places that shifted the most to hear what influenced their voting decisions.
San Diego is now less blue
Trump Made Gains in Latino-Dominant Chula Vista and San Ysidro. Here’s Why
Trump gained about 13 percentage points in San Ysidro in the most recent election compared to 2020.
South County Shifted Right in November, Highlighting Democrats’ Vulnerability
Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two to one in South San Diego County. But Donald Trump gained ground in the region in November, especially among Latinos and near the U.S.-Mexico border. The surprising shift suggests Democrats’ hold on the region may be slipping.
After Decades of Voting Blue, Imperial County Chose Donald Trump
It’s the first time the county has backed a Republican presidential candidate in more than 30 years.