A swing state, sometimes called a battleground state, is a state in an election where both major parties have similar levels of support among voters, making it a crucial target for campaigning. In presidential elections, winning swing states can decisively influence the outcome, as they often hold a significant number of electoral votes. These states are not consistently aligned with one party, meaning their voting patterns can vary from election to election. Candidates often focus their resources and messages on swing states, understanding that appealing to undecided voters there can tip the balance in a close race.