So, my question is: can the less densely populated "red" areas within these states out-vote the more densely populated urban "blue" areas to put the rest of the state as a win in the "red" column??
Exactly! That is why during the 2000, 2004, 2006 elections I was on here ranting and raving about vote/voter reform! From "proper-legal-valid voter registration, then to registered voters showing their valid-legal-proper IDs, to HARD-COPY optical-scanned ballots (don't trust the electronic machines with ether-votes on a hard drive only), to bi-party-monitored voting/polling places!
I even went all crazy (over-the-top perhaps) on a "standardized" hard-copy ballot type that cannot in anyway be "misinterpreted" (no chads or even punch holes). A ballot that has a circle next to a candidate or issue to be filled in like a bingo card with indelible ink pen and then can be tabulated by optical scanner. Recounts are possible by hand counting hard-copy ballots if necessary.
I even advocated having an attached numeric receipt that detaches from the ballot to give to the voter. That is a stretch, but a voter could check his/her number against a roster to make sure they were not "disenfranchised" Sort of like a ticket stub to redeem your cleaning or item. It's still would be anonymous.
I know vote fraud cannot be completely wiped out, but I'm all for fighting it vigorously and with all possible means. Voting confidence does mean a lot to those taking the time to do it. If a person's ballot looks to them solid, sound and assured to count, then it means more. We heard nightmare stories from Wisconsin, Michigan Missouri, Pennsylvania and who can forget Florida and the whole Dakota Indian reservation thing? I believe that many of those past horror stories can be remedied.