This research examines mass polarization in the United States by analyzing electoral behavior across multiple geographic levels; counties, congressional districts, and states. Moving beyond traditional survey-based measures, it focuses on shifts in voting patterns and partisan alignment to assess the depth and structure of polarization among the public. It introduces a new framework for distinguishing between changes in turnout and changes in the margin, offering insights into how different mechanisms impact the level of polarization. By emphasizing actual voting behavior rather than self-reported attitudes, the study provides a more accurate and scalable method for tracking polarization and understanding its geographic and temporal variation.
