Voter turnout and political participation

Voter turnout is the share of eligible voters who actually vote. In recent U.S. presidential elections, roughly 55 to 67 percent of eligible citizens have voted, with 2020 reaching about 66 percent, the highest in more than a century, while midterm elections usually draw fewer voters, often around 40 to 50 percent. Turnout tends to be higher among older, more educated, and higher-income citizens, and in close, high-profile races, while young adults have historically voted at lower rates. Election rules also matter: registration requirements, voter ID laws, early voting, mail voting, and automatic registration all affect how easy it is to vote, and Americans debate how to balance access to the ballot with election security. A person's sense of political efficacy, the belief that their participation matters, also shapes whether they vote. Voting is not the only form of participation: people also contact officials, volunteer for campaigns, donate money, join interest groups, sign petitions, and take part in peaceful protests.

This explanation is AI-generated and can occasionally be wrong. 🚩 Report