GOP registrations gaining ground in Berks

The latest figures show the margin between the two parties is smaller than it was four years ago.

Although there are still more registered Democrats than Republicans in Berks County, the latest figures show the margin between the two parties is smaller than it was four years ago when local voters played a critical role in helping hand Donald Trump the presidency.

An examination of county voter registration figures since the last presidential primary found that Republicans added new voters to their rolls and Democrats lost some of its members.

Between spring 2016 and spring 2020, the number of registered Republicans rose by 6,566, while the number of registered Democrats fell by 861 voters. Those changes have helped close the gap between the two parties, with the Democrats’ registration edge over Republicans decreasing by three percentage points.

In 2020, Democrats account for 45% of all registered Berks voters with 114,765. Republicans make up 40% of the total with 101,768.

In 2016, Democrats made up 48% of all registered Berks voters with 115,626, and Republicans accounted for 39% of the total with 95,202.

The shrinking gap between the two parties can be seen at the state level as well.

Although the number of registered Democrats rose in the Keystone State, that growth was significantly outpaced by the number of new Republicans.

An examination of statewide voter registration figures since the last presidential primary found that Republicans added 158,893 new voters to the rolls, while during the same time period Democrats gained just 26,299 voters. Those changes have helped to close the statewide gap between the two parties as the Democrats’ registration edge of the Republicans shrunk by a percentage point.

In 2020, Democrats account for 45% of all registered Pennsylvania voters with 4,088,486, while Republicans make up 40% of the total with 3,285,059.

In 2016, Democrats made up 48% of all registered Pennsylvania voters with 4,062,187, while Republicans accounted for 39% of the total with 3,126,166.