Democrats Make Most Of Shifts in Va. Electorate

In Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia, voter turnout increased by 49 percent this year compared with eight years ago, even though the city's population declined by 10 percent during the same period. Similar trends played out in Williamsburg (home of the College of William and Mary), Montgomery County (Virginia Tech), Harrisonburg (James Madison University) and Fredericksburg (Mary Washington). Voters younger than 30 comprised 21 percent of voters in 2008, up from 17 percent in 2004. Half of these young voters now identify themselves as Democrats, up from 38 percent in 2000.

Blacks, who have been voting Democratic for generations, powered much of their party's strength in areas downstate. There was a substantial increase in turnout and Obama's winning margin in almost all cities and counties where blacks account for at least a third of the population.

In the historically conservative Richmond suburbs, turnout in Henrico County, where blacks make up 27 percent of the population, saw a 32 percent increase in turnout compared with 2000. Obama won the county by 12 percentage points, the same spread Gore lost by in 2000.

Obama also improved on Democratic performance among blacks overall, winning 92 percent of black voters in Virginia compared with Kerry's 87 percent take and Gore's 84 percent.

Jack Wilson, chairman of the 4th District Republican Committee, which includes parts of suburban Richmond, Hampton Roads and southern Virginia, said it will be essential for GOP candidates to win back a greater share of the black vote. In Chesterfield County, another traditionally Republican suburb of Richmond where Obama made dramatic gains, blacks account for 22 percent of the population, up from 17 percent in 2000.

"There is no doubt the percentage and diversity has improved, and that is a good thing for the county, but as a party we have to recognize there are a large number of African American conservatives, and we have to reach out to them and say, 'You are welcome,' " Wilson said.

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.