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Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for August 10, 2017
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
August 10, 2017: An analysis of Census Bureau data conducted by the Pew Research Center found that “Millennials and Generation Xers cast 69.6 million votes in the 2016 general election.” That’s a bit more than the 67.9 million cast by baby boomers and older voters. It’s the first time in decades that “Boomers and older voters represented fewer than half of all votes.”[1]
This is part of a natural generation transition as older generations age and die.
Boomers are still the biggest generational voting block, accounting for 35% of all votes. Generation X provided 26%, millennials 25%, and the Silent Generation 14%. Pew believes, “It is likely, though not certain, that the size of the Millennial vote will surpass the Gen X vote in the 2020 presidential election.”
The Pew data for 2016 shows the expected pattern of higher turnout among older voters. Seventy percent (70%) of eligible voters in the silent generation voted, as did 69% of boomers. For Generation X, the figure was 63%. Only 49% of eligible millennials showed up.
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- August 9, 2017 – 6.5 million Americans paid a fine rather than signing up for Obamacare coverage
- August 8, 2017 – 84 percent of voters believe being truly American means accepting people of diverse racial and religious backgrounds
- August 7, 2017 – 26 Republican trifectas: states with GOP governor and control of legislature
- August 4, 2017 – 213 IRS workers rehired after earlier termination or separation for misconduct
- August 3, 2017 – 5 Pivot Counties in Indiana that voted twice for Barack Obama and then for Donald Trump
- To see other recent numbers, check out the archive.
Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day is published by Ballotpedia weekdays at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. Click here to check out the latest update.
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Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
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