TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A large, diverse and transient population lured by Florida's sandy shores, warm winters and lower cost of living has helped turn it into a fiercely contested swing state in modern presidential elections.

From the end of Reconstruction through 1948, the Democratic presidential candidate carried Florida in 17 of 18 elections.

But since 1952, Democrats have carried the state Florida in just four of 15 elections, winning the White House each time.

Which way Florida swings in a race for the White House is largely due to the transient nature of its population. A constant influx of new residents can make a difference from one election cycle to the next.