The Blue states are really blue cities. If you combine data on voter preference by income level (from exit poll data) and percent of taxes paid by income level (income, payroll, and excise taxes from IRS data), you find that Bush voters pay 57% of the taxes and Kerry voters pay 42% of the taxes.
% of taxes paid
Under $15,000 - 1.2%
$15,000-$29,999 - 4.3%
$30,000-$49,999 - 11.0%
$50,000-$74,999 - 14.6%
$75,000-$99,999 - 13.9%
$100,000-$199,999 - 23.3%
$200,000 or more - 31.7%
% voting for Bush
Under $15,000 - 36%
$15,000-$29,999 - 42%
$30,000-$49,999 - 49%
$50,000-$74,999 - 56%
$75,000-$99,999 - 55%
$100,000-$199,999 - 57%
$200,000 or more - 63%
For each income level, multiplying (% of taxes paid) X (% voting for Bush), gives you
% of taxes paid by Bush voters
Under $15,000 - 0.4%
$15,000-$29,999 - 1.8%
$30,000-$49,999 - 5.4%
$50,000-$74,999 - 8.2%
$75,000-$99,999 - 7.6%
$100,000-$199,999 - 13.3%
$200,000 or more - 20.0%
For a total of 57% of taxes paid by Bush voters. You can do the same exercise for Kerry voters and see that they pay 42%.
Exit poll source: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html
Tax data source: http://www.house.gov/jct/x-2-01.pdf
Thanks. Great info.