Election results, 2020: Analysis of voter turnout

This article covers subjects specific to the 2020 general election. It has not been updated to reflect subsequent developments.
Click here for more information about our 2020 election coverage.

Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk

Use the buttons below to see Help Desk hubs for other years. 2022 »

Disputed results Presidential election lawsuits and recounts Post-election lawsuits

Frequently asked questions General questions Presidential election Processing/counting mail ballots Results and certification Disputing results • Officeholder transitions

Absentee/mail-in voting analysis Mail-in voting by state, 2016-2018 Mail-in rejection by state, 2016-2018 Uncalled races, 2018 When can states begin counting? Processing, counting, and challenging ballots

Voting in 2020 Absentee/mail-in voting • Early voting • Voter ID Poll opening and closing times Recount laws by state Recount margin requirements by state U.S. Supreme Court actions

Elections by state AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubmit

The voter turnout rate is a mathematical expression that indicates how many eligible voters participated in an election. A variety of factors can factor into calculations of voter turnout. For the purposes of this article, voter turnout rates are expressed as follows:

1. Total ballots cast: This rate reflects the total number of ballots cast in a jurisdiction divided by the total number of eligible voters in that jurisdiction.
2. Total ballots cast for highest office: This rate reflects the total number of ballots cast for the highest office in a jurisdiction divided by the total number of eligible voters in that jurisdiction. In presidential election years, the presidency is the highest office on the ballot in every state. In non-presidential election years, the highest office on the ballot varies from state to state.

On this page you will find:

• Historical voter turnout rates
• Links to related articles discussing 2020 voter turnout rates

Historical voter turnout rates

See also: Voter turnout in United States elections

The table below presents national voter turnout rates for each federal election year from 2002 to 2022.

Voter turnout rates in the United States, 2002-2022 (expressed as a percentage of eligible voters)
Year	Total ballots cast	Total ballots cast for highest office
2024	63.7%	62.2%
2022	46.6%	N/A
2020	66.6%	66.0%
2018	50.0%	49.4%
2016	60.1%	59.2%
2014	36.7%	36.0%
2012	58.6%	58.0%
2010	41.8%	41.0%
2008	62.2%	61.6%
2006	41.3%	40.4%
2004	60.7%	60.1%
2002	40.5%	39.5%

The tables below present more detailed information on voter turnout rates in the United States from 2002 to 2018.

Turnout in terms of total ballots cast

Voter turnout rates in the United States, 2002-2024 (total ballots cast expressed as a percentage of eligible voters)
State	2024	2022	2020	2018	2016	2014	2012	2010	2008	2006	2004	2002
Alabama	58.89%	37.74%	63.13%	47.30%	59.30%	33.20%	N/A	43.30%	61.00%	N/A	57.40%	NA
Alaska	56.94%	50.78%	68.76%	54.60%	61.80%	54.80%	58.90%	52.90%	68.30%	51.20%	69.60%	54.50%
Arizona	63.60%	49.44%	65.92%	49.10%	56.20%	34.10%	53.00%	41.60%	57.40%	39.60%	54.80%	36.70%
Arkansas	53.48%	41.95%	56.07%	41.40%	53.10%	40.30%	51.10%	37.90%	52.90%	38.90%	54.40%	41.70%
California	62.48%	43.43%	68.50%	49.60%	58.40%	30.70%	55.70%	45.90%	61.70%	41.20%	59.60%	37.30%
Colorado	73.12%	58.45%	76.41%	63.00%	72.10%	54.70%	70.60%	51.70%	71.60%	48.10%	67.30%	46.60%
Connecticut	67.12%	48.88%	71.49%	54.40%	65.40%	42.50%	61.40%	45.90%	N/A	47.70%	66.20%	45.10%
Delaware	67.02%	43.19%	70.68%	51.40%	64.60%	34.90%	N/A	49.00%	65.80%	42.90%	64.50%	NA
District of Columbia	63.59%	43.58%	64.08%	43.70%	61.10%	35.70%	61.60%	29.60%	61.70%	28.70%	54.90%	NA
Florida	66.71%	49.35%	71.66%	54.90%	65.70%	43.30%	63.30%	42.20%	66.60%	40.10%	64.70%	45.90%
Georgia	68.26%	52.59%	68.03%	55.00%	59.90%	38.60%	59.30%	40.60%	62.70%	35.10%	56.40%	NA
Hawaii	50.27%	41.06%	57.52%	39.30%	43.00%	36.50%	44.50%	40.30%	49.00%	38.40%	48.50%	44.20%
Idaho	63.61%	42.25%	67.96%	50.00%	60.90%	39.80%	61.00%	42.90%	64.80%	46.20%	64.80%	45.20%
Illinois	59.59%	46.42%	67.02%	51.40%	63.40%	40.80%	59.30%	43.10%	64.30%	41.40%	62.40%	42.80%
Indiana	58.66%	50.16%	61.37%	46.90%	57.90%	28.70%	56.00%	38.10%	60.30%	37.70%	55.80%	NA
Iowa	70.82%	52.26%	73.25%	57.70%	69.00%	50.30%	70.60%	50.70%	69.70%	49.20%	70.60%	48.70%
Kansas	61.58%	47.94%	65.86%	51.20%	59.70%	43.30%	58.20%	42.60%	63.50%	44.30%	62.90%	44.90%
Kentucky	62.06%	44.20%	64.94%	48.60%	59.70%	44.90%	56.20%	44.30%	59.00%	44.20%	59.40%	NA
Louisiana	60.77%	42.22%	64.30%	44.80%	60.60%	44.90%	60.80%	40.00%	61.80%	31.40%	61.50%	40.10%
Maine	72.27%	61.46%	76.32%	60.20%	72.80%	58.70%	69.30%	55.90%	71.80%	N/A	74.90%	NA
Maryland	67.89%	46.16%	71.10%	54.20%	67.20%	42.00%	67.30%	46.70%	67.80%	47.20%	63.10%	46.80%
Massachusetts	67.78%	49.42%	72.11%	54.60%	68.30%	44.70%	66.20%	49.40%	67.30%	49.30%	64.60%	49.80%
Michigan	74.69%	59.31%	73.90%	57.80%	65.70%	43.20%	65.40%	45.10%	69.70%	52.80%	67.10%	45.00%
Minnesota	76.41%	61.01%	79.96%	64.20%	74.80%	50.60%	76.40%	55.80%	78.10%	60.50%	78.80%	NA
Mississippi	57.45%	32.89%	60.17%	42.70%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	NA	NA
Missouri	64.34%	44.86%	65.47%	53.40%	62.30%	33.60%	N/A	45.70%	68.20%	51.20%	66.10%	NA
Montana	68.49%	53.61%	73.10%	62.00%	64.30%	47.50%	63.50%	48.40%	67.10%	57.10%	65.20%	49.70%
Nebraska	68.01%	48.72%	69.89%	51.80%	63.80%	41.40%	61.10%	38.70%	63.70%	48.80%	64.10%	NA
Nevada	65.80%	46.27%	65.36%	47.50%	57.30%	29.60%	56.50%	41.40%	57.20%	37.10%	55.40%	36.80%
New Hampshire	74.36%	56.31%	75.46%	54.60%	72.50%	48.30%	70.90%	46.10%	72.50%	42.90%	71.50%	48.70%
New Jersey	63.78%	41.46%	75.27%	53.10%	65.50%	32.50%	62.20%	37.70%	67.70%	40.60%	64.20%	38.90%
New Mexico	59.68%	46.65%	61.25%	47.30%	55.20%	N/A	54.80%	44.70%	61.20%	43.10%	60.40%	40.00%
New York	57.87%	42.20%	63.57%	45.20%	57.30%	29.00%	53.50%	36.30%	59.60%	36.50%	58.50%	37.00%
North Carolina	70.33%	48.14%	71.48%	49.60%	65.20%	41.20%	65.40%	39.80%	66.10%	32.50%	58.70%	NA
North Dakota	63.10%	42.92%	64.45%	58.60%	61.90%	45.00%	60.40%	46.60%	63.60%	45.40%	65.50%	49.80%
Ohio	65.66%	50.10%	67.43%	50.90%	64.20%	36.20%	65.10%	46.20%	67.80%	49.50%	67.90%	40.30%
Oklahoma	53.28%	40.11%	54.99%	42.50%	N/A	30.00%	N/A	39.10%	56.30%	N/A	NA	NA
Oregon	70.00%	61.51%	75.52%	61.50%	68.30%	53.40%	64.20%	53.90%	68.30%	53.20%	72.60%	51.80%
Pennsylvania	71.18%	54.68%	71.14%	51.40%	N/A	36.50%	N/A	42.40%	64.20%	N/A	NA	NA
Rhode Island	62.87%	43.87%	65.34%	48.10%	59.70%	42.40%	N/A	45.40%	62.30%	52.10%	58.90%	45.40%
South Carolina	62.14%	54.24%	64.51%	45.20%	57.30%	35.20%	56.80%	40.30%	58.20%	35.40%	53.20%	NA
South Dakota	64.52%	54.24%	65.97%	53.30%	59.90%	44.70%	60.10%	53.90%	65.60%	58.80%	69.40%	61.20%
Tennessee	57.61%	31.34%	59.81%	45.10%	N/A	29.80%	52.30%	35.10%	57.40%	42.10%	56.80%	NA
Texas	56.57%	42.50%	60.42%	46.30%	51.60%	N/A	N/A	32.70%	N/A	N/A	NA	34.50%
Utah	64.16%	46.93%	69.17%	52.00%	57.70%	30.30%	56.10%	36.80%	57.10%	35.00%	59.80%	37.80%
Vermont	70.89%	55.88%	74.21%	55.90%	64.80%	40.80%	61.20%	49.80%	67.70%	55.00%	66.70%	49.40%
Virginia	71.06%	48.07%	73.00%	54.80%	N/A	36.80%	66.60%	39.10%	67.60%	44.50%	61.10%	32.30%
Washington	70.05%	55.91%	75.71%	58.90%	65.70%	43.10%	65.80%	54.30%	67.30%	47.30%	67.50%	43.50%
West Virginia	55.49%	35.66%	57.58%	42.50%	N/A	32.00%	N/A	37.20%	51.20%	33.80%	55.10%	31.50%
Wisconsin	76.37%	60.10%	75.77%	61.70%	N/A	56.90%	65.80%	52.40%	72.70%	53.70%	75.30%	NA
Wyoming	61.28%	45.70%	64.56%	48.70%	60.40%	39.70%	59.00%	46.00%	63.10%	51.80%	66.30%	50.80%
United States	63.68 %	46.76%	66.77%	50.33%	60.20%	36.70%	58.60%	41.8%	62.2%	41.30%	60.70%	40.50%
N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2024 General Election Turnout," accessed November 22, 2024;United States Elections Project, "Voter Turnout," accessed February 23, 2022

Turnout in terms of ballots cast for the highest office

Voter turnout rates in the United States, 2002-2020 (total ballots cast for highest office expressed as a percentage of eligible voters)
State	2020	2018	2016	2014	2012	2010	2008	2006	2004	2002
Alabama	63.08%	47.20%	59.00%	32.90%	58.60%	43.00%	60.80%	37.50%	57.40%	39.50%
Alaska	68.41%	54.30%	61.30%	54.20%	58.70%	51.90%	68.00%	51.00%	69.60%	41.50%
Arizona	65.27%	48.60%	55.00%	33.40%	52.60%	41.00%	56.70%	38.90%	54.80%	54.20%
Arkansas	55.86%	41.40%	52.80%	40.10%	50.70%	37.50%	52.50%	38.70%	54.40%	35.90%
California	67.41%	48.60%	56.70%	29.90%	55.10%	44.00%	60.90%	40.20%	59.60%	41.30%
Colorado	75.51%	63.00%	70.10%	53.70%	69.90%	50.60%	71.00%	47.30%	67.30%	36.10%
Connecticut	70.07%	54.40%	64.20%	42.30%	61.30%	45.90%	66.60%	46.60%	66.20%	46.30%
Delaware	70.00%	51.00%	64.40%	34.30%	62.30%	47.50%	65.60%	42.30%	64.50%	42.30%
District of Columbia	63.69%	42.50%	60.90%	35.30%	61.50%	28.90%	61.50%	28.30%	54.90%	41.10%
Florida	71.17%	53.30%	64.60%	42.80%	62.80%	41.70%	66.10%	39.60%	64.70%	30.10%
Georgia	67.72%	54.90%	59.20%	38.20%	59.00%	39.80%	62.50%	34.70%	56.40%	45.60%
Hawaii	57.00%	38.50%	42.20%	36.20%	44.20%	39.90%	48.80%	37.90%	48.50%	35.40%
Idaho	67.15%	49.40%	59.10%	39.30%	59.80%	42.30%	63.60%	45.40%	64.80%	43.80%
Illinois	66.84%	50.70%	61.90%	40.20%	58.90%	42.40%	63.60%	40.20%	62.40%	44.70%
Indiana	60.66%	46.40%	56.40%	27.80%	55.20%	37.10%	59.10%	36.60%	55.80%	41.40%
Iowa	72.85%	57.40%	68.40%	49.80%	70.30%	49.90%	69.40%	48.10%	70.60%	33.90%
Kansas	65.79%	50.90%	57.70%	42.50%	56.90%	41.70%	62.00%	43.60%	62.90%	47.90%
Kentucky	64.51%	47.30%	58.70%	44.20%	55.70%	42.40%	57.90%	40.40%	59.40%	44.00%
Louisiana	63.67%	43.00%	60.00%	43.90%	60.20%	38.90%	61.20%	29.70%	61.50%	37.20%
Maine	75.51%	59.10%	70.50%	58.10%	68.20%	55.20%	70.60%	54.20%	74.90%	39.40%
Maryland	70.41%	53.50%	66.60%	41.70%	66.60%	46.40%	67.00%	46.70%	63.10%	50.80%
Massachusetts	71.58%	53.70%	67.20%	44.10%	65.90%	48.90%	66.80%	48.80%	64.60%	46.30%
Michigan	73.37%	56.60%	64.70%	42.70%	64.70%	44.50%	69.20%	52.10%	67.10%	49.20%
Minnesota	79.57%	63.90%	74.20%	50.40%	76.00%	55.40%	77.80%	60.10%	78.80%	44.50%
Mississippi	59.67%	42.50%	55.60%	29.00%	59.30%	37.00%	61.00%	29.40%	N/A	64.10%
Missouri	65.74%	53.40%	62.30%	31.70%	62.20%	44.50%	67.60%	50.00%	66.10%	30.10%
Montana	72.33%	64.10%	61.80%	46.90%	62.50%	47.50%	66.30%	56.40%	65.20%	45.60%
Nebraska	69.13%	51.20%	62.50%	40.50%	60.30%	37.50%	62.90%	47.60%	64.10%	48.40%
Nevada	65.25%	47.40%	57.30%	29.30%	56.40%	41.30%	57.00%	36.90%	55.40%	39.90%
New Hampshire	74.58%	54.40%	71.40%	47.60%	70.20%	45.70%	71.70%	41.40%	71.50%	36.20%
New Jersey	73.87%	51.80%	64.10%	31.10%	61.50%	36.40%	67.00%	39.50%	64.20%	48.10%
New Mexico	60.97%	47.00%	54.80%	35.40%	54.60%	42.80%	60.90%	42.50%	60.40%	38.10%
New York	63.03%	44.30%	56.80%	28.20%	53.10%	35.50%	59.00%	34.90%	58.50%	38.60%
North Carolina	71.20%	48.70%	64.80%	40.80%	64.80%	39.20%	65.50%	31.00%	58.70%	36.10%
North Dakota	64.02%	57.80%	60.90%	43.80%	59.80%	46.20%	62.70%	44.90%	65.50%	39.70%
Ohio	66.85%	50.10%	62.90%	35.10%	64.50%	44.90%	66.90%	47.50%	67.90%	48.50%
Oklahoma	54.84%	42.40%	52.40%	29.90%	49.20%	38.80%	55.80%	36.40%	N/A	38.80%
Oregon	74.28%	60.00%	66.40%	50.90%	63.10%	52.70%	67.70%	52.50%	72.60%	41.20%
Pennsylvania	70.69%	51.40%	63.60%	36.10%	59.50%	41.70%	63.60%	44.10%	N/A	50.80%
Rhode Island	64.75%	47.50%	59.00%	41.70%	58.00%	44.80%	61.80%	51.00%	58.90%	38.80%
South Carolina	64.01%	44.70%	56.70%	34.80%	56.30%	39.70%	58.00%	34.60%	53.20%	44.70%
South Dakota	65.21%	53.00%	58.50%	44.30%	59.30%	52.90%	64.70%	57.80%	69.40%	36.90%
Tennessee	59.59%	44.60%	51.20%	28.60%	51.90%	34.60%	57.00%	41.40%	56.80%	60.70%
Texas	60.24%	46.30%	51.60%	28.30%	49.60%	32.10%	54.10%	30.90%	N/A	39.60%
Utah	67.91%	51.20%	56.70%	29.70%	55.50%	36.30%	56.00%	34.30%	59.80%	34.20%
Vermont	73.50%	55.10%	63.70%	38.90%	60.70%	49.40%	67.30%	54.90%	66.70%	37.00%
Virginia	71.99%	54.60%	66.10%	36.60%	66.10%	38.70%	67.00%	44.00%	61.10%	48.80%
Washington	75.17%	58.10%	64.80%	41.20%	64.80%	53.20%	66.60%	47.30%	67.50%	29.00%
West Virginia	57.00%	41.70%	50.10%	31.20%	46.30%	36.80%	49.90%	32.80%	55.10%	41.80%
Wisconsin	75.50%	61.60%	69.40%	56.60%	72.90%	52.00%	72.40%	53.20%	75.30%	31.20%
Wyoming	64.16%	48.20%	59.70%	39.00%	58.60%	45.50%	62.80%	51.10%	66.30%	45.40%
United States	66.21%	49.70%	59.30%	36.00%	58.00%	41.0%	61.6%	40.40%	60.70%	50.10%
N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "Voter Turnout," accessed February 23, 2022

Next article: How and when are election results finalized?

The 2020 election took place against a backdrop of uncertainty. Our readers had questions about what to expect in elections at all levels of government, from the casting of ballots to the certification of final results. Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk was designed to answer those questions.

More frequently asked questions about the 2020 election

Click on a question below to read the answer:

• General election information
  • Who runs elections in the United States?
  • Why do states have different election rules?
  • What methods do states use to prevent election fraud?
  • Do you have to vote for everything on your ballot?
  • What happens if you mark outside the lines or use the wrong pen/pencil?
  • What is a spoiled ballot?
  • What is a write-in candidate?
  • How can I check the status of my ballot?
  • Can I take a ballot selfie?

• Presidential election
  • What happens if a presidential candidate declares victory in the 2020 election before results are final?
  • Can presidential candidates win the election if they have already conceded?
  • What are the steps and deadlines for electing the President of the United States?
  • What happens if there is a tie in the Electoral College?
  • What are faithless electors in the Electoral College?
  • What happens if a presidential nominee becomes incapacitated before the election?
  • Can members of Congress object to Electoral College results?

• Processing and counting absentee/mail-in ballots
  • What is the life cycle of an absentee/mail-in ballot?
  • What happens if I vote by mail and want to change my ballot at a later date?
  • What happens if someone votes by mail and then tries to vote in person?
  • How do states protect and verify absentee/mail-in ballots?
  • How do election workers match signatures?
  • Are results reported on election night coming from in-person or absentee/mail-in votes?
  • Do states report how many mail-in/absentee ballots are outstanding on election night?
  • Do absentee/mail-in ballots take longer to count than in-person ballots?
  • What happens if someone votes by mail-in ballot or absentee ballot and subsequently passes away before Election Day?

• Disputing election results
  • How will election recounts work?
  • How close does an election have to be to trigger an automatic recount?
  • Can a candidate or voter request a recount?
  • Who pays for recounts and contested elections?
  • What are poll watchers?
  • What does it mean to challenge a voter's eligibility, and who can do it?
  • What is a redo election?
  • Who can file election-related lawsuits?
  • What are the reasons to call a redo election?
  • Who can call a redo election?
  • Can a redo be held for a presidential election?

• Election result reporting and certification
  • What happens if candidates declare victory in the 2020 election before results are final?
  • Can candidates win an election if they have already conceded?
  • How and when are election results finalized?
  • How do major media outlets declare winners?

• Transitions of power and taking office
  • Who is the president if election results are unknown by January 20, 2021?
  • Who serves in Congress if election results are unknown by January 2021?
  • Who serves in a state or local government if election results are unknown?
  • What happens if the winning presidential candidate becomes incapacitated before taking office?

• Articles about potential scenarios in the 2020 election
• U.S. Supreme Court actions affecting the November 3, 2020, general election

See also

• Voter turnout in United States elections

Additional reading

• U.S. Elections Project, "2020 General Election Early Vote Statistics"
• Vox, "9 questions about 2020’s record-breaking early vote, answered"
• The New York Times, "Voters in Battleground States Are Driving Record Early Turnout"
• NPR, "66 Million And Counting: Americans Are Breaking Early Voting Records"