Swing states, in U.S. political terminology, are the states that could reasonably be won by either major party in a statewide election, making them battlegrounds in presidential races. They are often referred to as purple states, and they receive disproportionate campaign attention and resources because outcomes there are uncertain and can swing the Electoral College result. By contrast, red states vote predominantly for one party (Republican) and blue states for the other (Democratic), and are typically considered safe bases for a given candidate. The set of swing states can change from election to election based on polling, demographics, and campaigning, with some states repeatedly appearing as battlegrounds across cycles. Recent elections have highlighted which states have tended to swing or be closely contested, but the specific list can shift over time.