The United States coasts have been known to favor the Democratic party in the presidential elections throughout the years. The Northeast and West Coasts typically vote blue each election. Maryland is considered a strong blue state, but does this mean that its cities are just as steadfast in their liberal policies?
Baltimore, Maryland is a very liberal city. Despite the contrasting election of their new Republican governor, it still remains one of the most liberal cities in the United States. Based on voting patterns, party control statistics, and enforced policies, Baltimore is mostly Democratic.
If you’re interested in just how deep Baltimore’s liberalistic reputation precedes it, please continue reading. In this article, we will explore how voting, policies, and demographics influence the vast surge of liberalism in Maryland’s largest city.
Voting
As has been established, Baltimore is a very liberal city. You might be surprised though to learn about the voting outcomes of the 2020 presidential election
. 87.3% of the population who voted, voted for the Democratic candidate. Meanwhile, about 10.7% of the population voted for the Republican candidate, and the rest voted for a third party.
Compared to the whole state of Maryland, which had about 65% of people voting Democratic, 30% more people voted liberal in the city of Baltimore.
The county of Baltimore city has voted solely in the favor of the Democratic party since the year 2000. In each of those elections (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020), the Democratic party won the majority by a margin of over 10%. So, the victories that the Democratic party won were not close by any means.
Campaigning is a huge part of the election process. It’s a fantastic way for candidates to get their name out in the public and advocate for their beliefs and hopes for politics. The general population can donate to the candidates of their choosing in order to give them support and to help them win the election.
Throughout the past 4 years in Baltimore, Maryland, there have been many different contributions made to individuals that were campaigning. In support of the Democratic party and liberal candidates and campaigns, there have been contributions of over $14 million dollars.
Contrasting the large amounts of funds that have been given in support of the Democratic party, there has been only about $2.5 million given in support of the Republican party and conservative candidates and campaigns.
Demographics in Relation to Voting Outcomes
The total population of Baltimore is around 600,000 people as of 2020. The percentage of that population that is Black/African American is around 62.8% compared to the White population of 30.3%. According to research conducted in the United States on how race and ethnicity relate to party affiliation, those who are Black/African American, Hispanic, or Asian typically favor the Democratic Party over the Republican Party.
83% of all registered voters who are Black identify or lean towards the Democratic Party. The same majority shows within the Asian population (72% lean blue), and the Hispanic population (63% lean blue). Minority populations are often most affiliated with the Democratic party because of their liberal ideals of equality and government help.
If Baltimore’s Black/African American population follows the pattern of the general Black population in the United States, roughly 312,744 people would identify with the Democratic party and show voting patterns in favor of the liberal candidates.
City Politics and Offices
The current mayor of Baltimore, Maryland is Brandon Scott, who has held office since December 8th, 2020, and is affiliated with the Democratic party. Ever since the year 1967, each mayor that has held office for the city of Baltimore has identified as a Democrat. The past 5 mayors of Baltimore have been of a race other than white, once again supporting the trend that minority races tend to identify as Democrats.
The members of the city council are also predominantly Democrats. The city council president, Nick J. Mosby, identifies with the Democratic party, along with all 14 of the district representatives and the city controller.
Policies and Practices
The new mayor, Brandon Scott, is the youngest mayor that the city of Baltimore has had. He is an African American man who has witnessed firsthand the effects of gun violence, poverty, and racial discrimination. Some of the key things that Scott plans to improve during his term as mayor include the restriction, or better regulation, of guns in order to decrease gun violence, decrease the negative effects of racial discrimination and disparities, and support social services and healthcare.
The regulation of guns falls under a highly liberal influenced policy that supports government action to take away guns to decrease gun violence in the United States. Liberals also tend to support policies, candidates, and laws that help balance the societal opportunities scale. Liberals believe that it is the government’s job to fix the inequalities in the system and protect the individual rights and needs of the people.
Due to the racial disparities in the city of Baltimore, there are many people who are without access to adequate healthcare and support for abuse, mental health, and other health crises. Brandon Scott has stated that he is going to make an effort to make sure that every person has the access they need to healthcare. This follows the liberal policy or belief that all people should have access to universal healthcare. Healthcare is often seen as a basic right and human need that needs to be protected and allocated by the government by the Democratic Party.
The city of Baltimore has also outlawed the use of capital punishment with the ban that Maryland placed on it in May of 2013. Instead of the death penalty, Maryland enforces a life sentence without parole. The abolishment of the death penalty in Baltimore shows the liberal beliefs of not only the city but also the state as a whole. Maryland was the 18th state to abolish this penalty.
Liberals are known to be strongly against the death penalty. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution states that punishment that is cruel or unusual is not to be inflicted. Liberals believe that sentencing someone to death would fall under the category of “cruel and unusual punishment.” This means that it should not be used as a way of disciplining those in jail. As mentioned previously, Baltimore, along with the state of Maryland, opts for life sentences in its stead.
Baltimore is also known to be extremely LGBTQ+ friendly. The acceptance of this particular community isn’t subject to just those with liberalistic ideas and beliefs, but liberals are most often the ones to advocate for this community. Conservatives tend to view same-sex marriage and the LGBTQ+ community as something that violates the moral beliefs of religion.
Because the culture in Baltimore is very accepting and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, they have been ranked as the fifth most friendly city in the United States for LGBTQ+. Mount Vernon in Baltimore is known as the hot spot for this community and is often referred to as the “gay village.”
Supporting the community is something that is obviously not constrained to those who identify with the liberal belief system, but being in support of LGBTQ+ is seen as a more liberal idea.
Another largely liberal belief is one that supports the allocation of welfare services to the poor. The Department of Social Services in Baltimore offers many different services that are open for those who need them to use. Baltimore has benefit programs that offer temporary cash support, medical assistance, and food supplements.
Baltimore also strives to have a strong and supportive foster care system that provides safe, regulated, and approved homes for children who cannot stay in their own homes. There are also services that are offered to struggling families and homeless people in order to help them figure out a path to get them back on their feet. There are also employment services that help the unemployed members of Baltimore find work that can help sustain them.
A typical, traditional conservative would usually be against the vast amount of programs that offer monetary and food services to those who need them in the community. Conservatives believe it is better to teach them to be self-reliant instead of giving them vast amounts of support, regardless of the situation.
As you can see, Baltimore is an extremely liberal city. Not only is the general population liberal, but the city’s leaders and officials are almost all affiliated with the Democratic party. Baltimore’s voting patterns show massive amounts of support for liberalistic ideas, policies, and candidates. If you’ve been looking for a place that supports diversity, LGBTQ+, universal healthcare, welfare services, and gun control, then Baltimore, Maryland may be a great place for you to visit or live.
The culture in Baltimore is very warm, diverse, and accepting. Regardless of one’s own political beliefs, even if they are opposing the masses, Baltimore is still a great city to explore. With its attitude of “for the people,” it won’t be hard to feel at home in this city.
