Final answer:
The Southern Realignment and the Era of Divided Party Government refers to the political shift that occurred in the United States from 1968 to the present. Southern Democrats moved towards the Republican Party due to changes in social issues and state sovereignty. Today, the South and rural areas vote Republican, while urban areas lean Democratic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Southern Realignment and the Era of Divided Party Government refers to the political shift that occurred in the United States from 1968 to the present. It involved the realignment of political parties, with Southern Democrats moving towards the Republican Party. This shift was primarily driven by changes in social issues, such as civil rights and state sovereignty. Today, the South and rural areas predominantly vote Republican, while urban areas and the Northeast lean Democratic.