Jobless rates in some swing states at 3-yr lows [View all]

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/13/us-usa-states-employment-swingstates-idUSBRE82C18Z20120313

(Reuters) - Ahead of a U.S. presidential election widely considered a referendum on President Barack Obama's job creation efforts, all but two states reported improving jobless rates in January from a year ago, with some swing states hitting the lowest rates in three years.

The Labor Department also said on Tuesday that 45 out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia had drops in their jobless rates in January from December.

The improvements encompassed all swing states where neither President Barack Obama nor his future Republican opponent have a clear overwhelming majority.

Because of the unique U.S. electoral system where states cast votes for President, the employment situations of some areas could influence the presidential election more than others. Ten states in particular are considered toss-ups representing 130 electoral votes. A candidate must collect 270 electoral votes to win.

<more>