Working-Class Whites Now Fewer Than Half Of Ohio Voters

New census data show working-class whites now make up fewer than half of Ohio's eligible voters, a demographic change that has both parties expanding their efforts to reach other voters. Unpublished 2014 census figures show about 4.1 million, or 48 percent, of eligible voters in Ohio are working-class whites. That's down from 50.5 percent in November 2012. In response Democrats are trying to paint themselves as the party of diversity with a 2014 statewide ticket that features three white men, two white women and one black woman. Republicans meanwhile are trying to reach more female voters and college students as they try to widen their appeal. Longtime Democratic strategist Greg Haas says Ohio is too balanced for either party to ignore any segment of voters.