Patriotic States From Montana to Alabama

The Fourth of July weekend may be the banner days for flags, fireworks and all things red, white and blue, but some corners of the country tend to be a little more patriotic even when the holiday’s not looming. West Virginia spends more than any other state—an average of $7.81 per vet—for veteran compensation, medical care, education and other outlays. Minnesota has the greatest voter turnout of any state in the nation. And, Alaska has the largest veteran population.

While the nation’s focused on celebrating the work of our forefathers and the sacrifices of our peers, The Daily Beast took a look at which states honor that focus throughout the year by honoring and supporting military service and exercising their right to vote.

States were pitted against one another in terms of average voter participation rate for the 2008 and 2010 elections (to include Presidential and non-residential election seasons). Rates recorded were taken from George Mason University Professor Michael P. McDonald’s United States Election Project. As well, we compared the percentage of the adult population that is a veteran and the state’s spend per veteran in 2010 according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The total adult population per state is according to the most recent Census figures.

So which states bleed red, white and blue? Click here.