The map we chose to follow for this trip may seem random, but each of the six Midwest counties we visited underwent a change in 2016 — choosing Donald Trump for president after voting twice for Barack Obama. We learned folks around here vote for the person, not the party.

Battleground 2020: The Midwest. What Does 2016 Tell Us About the Future?

Political reporters Taylor Popielarz and Taurean Small traveled to six Midwestern states and interviewed over 50 people, including local party chairs, county clerks, everyday voters, the three Midwest candidates and a member of the Trump campaign to dissect what happened in 2016 and what may happen in 2020. This story is a part of their Battleground 2020: The Midwest series.