What five states are most important to the candidates?

While the big population States bring in a large number of electoral votes and are for that reason they are highly competed for. In a closely contested election the so called Swing States assume a very high priority. Florida is an example with 27 electoral votes and no clear leader in terms of political party. Pennsylvania and Ohio can also be considered as Battleground States where a win can make all of the difference in election results. States with only three, four or five electors are rarely worth the effort to campaign in when the time can be better used elsewhere. Home states also receive little attention as they are considered Safe States in the same way that States with a long history of political affiliation with a particular political party seldom receive an active campaign.