[ckilmer]

Likely the difference between low density and high density population voting patterns reflects the relative percentage of people receiving W2 vs 1099’s.

1099’s are all independent business people. You’ll have a higher percentage of those in rural areas.

W2’s are employees. You’ll have a higher percentage of those in urban areas.

[outpostinmass2]

I am an urban voter and fill-out both the W2 and the 1099. I wish the cities had mostly employees paying taxes. That is not even close. Most cities have around 40% on welfare. Depressed cities over 60% on welfare. Most cities today are welfare magnets in the business of providing welfare. Cities on the coasts and a couple in the middle have financial industries and software tech that pick-up some of the tax slack. Those cities still have a significant welfare industry. The only way to win back cities is to get people off welfare. I don't see any other way. The democrats want to keep people on welfare or give them government jobs.

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Likely the difference between low density and high density population voting patterns reflects the relative percentage of people receiving W2 vs 1099’s.

There is certainly some evidence this is a major cause of urban/rural political differences. Two other closely related contributing factors are out-migration of the rural poor to more urban areas, and the fact that rural areas have substantially lower levels of income inequality, and its perceived as less of a *political* problem.

See for example:

http://www.apsanet.org/imgtest/PSJuly06GimpelKarnes.pdf