In 1960s Reading, Pennsylvania, the politics of the region were largely driven by local issues. The city was governed by a Mayor-Council system with the mayor being elected at large and council members from each of seven wards. This allowed for representation of a variety of interests across the city. Residents were active in advocating for their particular needs and concerns, from infrastructure improvements to economic development initiatives. In addition to its governing body, Reading also had several influential political organizations that sought to promote their own agenda. These included groups such as Citizens for Good Government and Citizens for Better Education, which both pushed forward important causes in the city during this time. Furthermore, Reading was known for its strong labor unions, which advocated for better wages and working conditions for its members. All in all, politics in 1960s Reading were vibrant and full of energy as citizens worked together to make sure their voices were heard and their needs met.
The political climate in Zip 19608 (Reading, PA) is somewhat conservative.
Berks County, PA is leaning conservative. In Berks County, PA 45.1% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 53.2% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 1.7% voted Independent.
In the last Presidential election, Berks county remained moderately Republican, 53.2% to 45.1%.
Berks county voted Republican in five of the last six Presidential elections (2008 went Democratic).
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index
Zip 19608 (Reading, PA) is somewhat conservative.
Reading, Pennsylvania is somewhat conservative.
Berks County, Pennsylvania is leaning conservative.
Reading Metro Area is leaning conservative.
Pennsylvania is leaning liberal.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index is based on recent voting in national elections, federal campaign contributions by local residents, and consumer personality profiles.
VoteWord™
Displaying 20 years of Presidential voting, visualized in one word.
Reading, Pennsylvania: r r d r r r
How It Works:
Here at BestPlaces, we were looking at the voting patterns since the 2000 election and realized that we could express the results of each election as one letter. R if the Republican Party candidate won, D for the Democrat and I for the Independent. The six elections (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) would be expressed as six-letter word (R R D R R).
Then we went a little further and added the dimension of magnitude. If the difference of victory was greater than 10 percent, the letter is upper case, and lower case if the difference was less than 10 percent. This allows us to see interesting voting patterns at just a glance.
Here's the VoteWord for Iowa d r d d r. In the last six elections the state has been closely contested, voting narrowly for the Republican Party candidate in 2016 and 2020 after voting for the Democratic Party in 2008 and 2012. Virginia (r r d d d D) has voted for the Democratic Party in the last three elections.
Individual Campaign Contributions in zip 19608 (Reading)
In the last 4 years (2018-2021), there were 390 contributions totaling $50,692 to the Democratic Party and liberal campaigns, averaging $130 per contribution.
In the last 4 years, there were 318 contributions totaling $116,037 to the Republican Party and conservative campaigns, averaging $365 per contribution.
(source: Federal Election Commission)