Final answer:
African Americans are the group most closely aligned with the Democratic Party, voting about 85 percent in favor of Democratic presidential candidates. This voter allegiance is influenced by historical, generational, and socio-economic factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group most closely aligned with the Democratic Party, voting about 85 percent Democratic in presidential elections, is African Americans. This strong alignment has historical roots dating back to the civil rights era and has persisted through various cultural and political shifts. Factors such as generational changes, socio-economic status, and positions on key issues influence voter alignment. For example, millennials and Generation Xers are more likely to support the Democratic Party, as well as people from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds in urban areas. It's also noteworthy that while younger Republicans may share some liberal viewpoints, this does not necessarily translate into voting for the Democratic Party.
Research by polling agencies such as Gallup indicates the enduring nature of party identifiers, with most people identifying with one of the major parties or leaning towards one even if they claim independence. Furthermore, studies have shown that wealthy, older, educated Whites are the most likely to vote, though the Democratic Party draws significant support from minorities and those with a college education, who also have a tendency to show up at the polls.