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Voter turnout in United States elections
From Ballotpedia
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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:
- 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.
- 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.
Overview
The table below presents national voter turnout rates for each federal election year from 2002 to 2018.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
| Voter turnout rates in the United States, 2002-2018 (expressed as a percentage of eligible voters) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Total ballots cast | Total ballots cast for highest office |
| 2018 | 50.30% | 49.70% |
| 2016 | 60.20% | 59.30% |
| 2014 | 36.70% | 36.00% |
| 2012 | 58.60% | 58.00% |
| 2010 | 41.80% | 41.00% |
| 2008 | 62.20% | 61.60% |
| 2006 | 41.30% | 40.40% |
| 2004 | 60.70% | 60.70% |
| 2002 | 40.50% | 50.10% |
The line graphs and tables below present more detailed information on voter turnout rates in the United States from 2002 to 2018.
Voter turnout in terms of total ballots cast, 2002-2018
| Voter turnout rates in the United States, 2002-2018 (total ballots cast expressed as a percentage of eligible voters) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 2018 | 2016 | 2014 | 2012 | 2010 | 2008 | 2006 | 2004 | 2002 |
| Alabama | 47.30% | 59.30% | 33.20% | N/A | 43.30% | 61.00% | N/A | 57.40% | NA |
| Alaska | 54.60% | 61.80% | 54.80% | 58.90% | 52.90% | 68.30% | 51.20% | 69.60% | 54.50% |
| Arizona | 49.10% | 56.20% | 34.10% | 53.00% | 41.60% | 57.40% | 39.60% | 54.80% | 36.70% |
| Arkansas | 41.40% | 53.10% | 40.30% | 51.10% | 37.90% | 52.90% | 38.90% | 54.40% | 41.70% |
| California | 49.60% | 58.40% | 30.70% | 55.70% | 45.90% | 61.70% | 41.20% | 59.60% | 37.30% |
| Colorado | 63.00% | 72.10% | 54.70% | 70.60% | 51.70% | 71.60% | 48.10% | 67.30% | 46.60% |
| Connecticut | 54.40% | 65.40% | 42.50% | 61.40% | 45.90% | N/A | 47.70% | 66.20% | 45.10% |
| Delaware | 51.40% | 64.60% | 34.90% | N/A | 49.00% | 65.80% | 42.90% | 64.50% | NA |
| District of Columbia | 43.70% | 61.10% | 35.70% | 61.60% | 29.60% | 61.70% | 28.70% | 54.90% | NA |
| Florida | 54.90% | 65.70% | 43.30% | 63.30% | 42.20% | 66.60% | 40.10% | 64.70% | 45.90% |
| Georgia | 55.00% | 59.90% | 38.60% | 59.30% | 40.60% | 62.70% | 35.10% | 56.40% | NA |
| Hawaii | 39.30% | 43.00% | 36.50% | 44.50% | 40.30% | 49.00% | 38.40% | 48.50% | 44.20% |
| Idaho | 50.00% | 60.90% | 39.80% | 61.00% | 42.90% | 64.80% | 46.20% | 64.80% | 45.20% |
| Illinois | 51.40% | 63.40% | 40.80% | 59.30% | 43.10% | 64.30% | 41.40% | 62.40% | 42.80% |
| Indiana | 46.90% | 57.90% | 28.70% | 56.00% | 38.10% | 60.30% | 37.70% | 55.80% | NA |
| Iowa | 57.70% | 69.00% | 50.30% | 70.60% | 50.70% | 69.70% | 49.20% | 70.60% | 48.70% |
| Kansas | 51.20% | 59.70% | 43.30% | 58.20% | 42.60% | 63.50% | 44.30% | 62.90% | 44.90% |
| Kentucky | 48.60% | 59.70% | 44.90% | 56.20% | 44.30% | 59.00% | 44.20% | 59.40% | NA |
| Louisiana | 44.80% | 60.60% | 44.90% | 60.80% | 40.00% | 61.80% | 31.40% | 61.50% | 40.10% |
| Maine | 60.20% | 72.80% | 58.70% | 69.30% | 55.90% | 71.80% | N/A | 74.90% | NA |
| Maryland | 54.20% | 67.20% | 42.00% | 67.30% | 46.70% | 67.80% | 47.20% | 63.10% | 46.80% |
| Massachusetts | 54.60% | 68.30% | 44.70% | 66.20% | 49.40% | 67.30% | 49.30% | 64.60% | 49.80% |
| Michigan | 57.80% | 65.70% | 43.20% | 65.40% | 45.10% | 69.70% | 52.80% | 67.10% | 45.00% |
| Minnesota | 64.20% | 74.80% | 50.60% | 76.40% | 55.80% | 78.10% | 60.50% | 78.80% | NA |
| Mississippi | 42.70% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | NA | NA |
| Missouri | 53.40% | 62.30% | 33.60% | N/A | 45.70% | 68.20% | 51.20% | 66.10% | NA |
| Montana | 62.00% | 64.30% | 47.50% | 63.50% | 48.40% | 67.10% | 57.10% | 65.20% | 49.70% |
| Nebraska | 51.80% | 63.80% | 41.40% | 61.10% | 38.70% | 63.70% | 48.80% | 64.10% | NA |
| Nevada | 47.50% | 57.30% | 29.60% | 56.50% | 41.40% | 57.20% | 37.10% | 55.40% | 36.80% |
| New Hampshire | 54.60% | 72.50% | 48.30% | 70.90% | 46.10% | 72.50% | 42.90% | 71.50% | 48.70% |
| New Jersey | 53.10% | 65.50% | 32.50% | 62.20% | 37.70% | 67.70% | 40.60% | 64.20% | 38.90% |
| New Mexico | 47.30% | 55.20% | N/A | 54.80% | 44.70% | 61.20% | 43.10% | 60.40% | 40.00% |
| New York | 45.20% | 57.30% | 29.00% | 53.50% | 36.30% | 59.60% | 36.50% | 58.50% | 37.00% |
| North Carolina | 49.60% | 65.20% | 41.20% | 65.40% | 39.80% | 66.10% | 32.50% | 58.70% | NA |
| North Dakota | 58.60% | 61.90% | 45.00% | 60.40% | 46.60% | 63.60% | 45.40% | 65.50% | 49.80% |
| Ohio | 50.90% | 64.20% | 36.20% | 65.10% | 46.20% | 67.80% | 49.50% | 67.90% | 40.30% |
| Oklahoma | 42.50% | N/A | 30.00% | N/A | 39.10% | 56.30% | N/A | NA | NA |
| Oregon | 61.50% | 68.30% | 53.40% | 64.20% | 53.90% | 68.30% | 53.20% | 72.60% | 51.80% |
| Pennsylvania | 51.40% | N/A | 36.50% | N/A | 42.40% | 64.20% | N/A | NA | NA |
| Rhode Island | 48.10% | 59.70% | 42.40% | N/A | 45.40% | 62.30% | 52.10% | 58.90% | 45.40% |
| South Carolina | 45.20% | 57.30% | 35.20% | 56.80% | 40.30% | 58.20% | 35.40% | 53.20% | NA |
| South Dakota | 53.30% | 59.90% | 44.70% | 60.10% | 53.90% | 65.60% | 58.80% | 69.40% | 61.20% |
| Tennessee | 45.10% | N/A | 29.80% | 52.30% | 35.10% | 57.40% | 42.10% | 56.80% | NA |
| Texas | 46.30% | 51.60% | N/A | N/A | 32.70% | N/A | N/A | NA | 34.50% |
| Utah | 52.00% | 57.70% | 30.30% | 56.10% | 36.80% | 57.10% | 35.00% | 59.80% | 37.80% |
| Vermont | 55.90% | 64.80% | 40.80% | 61.20% | 49.80% | 67.70% | 55.00% | 66.70% | 49.40% |
| Virginia | 54.80% | N/A | 36.80% | 66.60% | 39.10% | 67.60% | 44.50% | 61.10% | 32.30% |
| Washington | 58.90% | 65.70% | 43.10% | 65.80% | 54.30% | 67.30% | 47.30% | 67.50% | 43.50% |
| West Virginia | 42.50% | N/A | 32.00% | N/A | 37.20% | 51.20% | 33.80% | 55.10% | 31.50% |
| Wisconsin | 61.70% | N/A | 56.90% | 65.80% | 52.40% | 72.70% | 53.70% | 75.30% | NA |
| Wyoming | 48.70% | 60.40% | 39.70% | 59.00% | 46.00% | 63.10% | 51.80% | 66.30% | 50.80% |
| United States | 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, "Voter Turnout," accessed February 25, 2019 | |||||||||
Voter turnout in terms of total ballots cast for highest office, 2002-2018
| Voter turnout rates in the United States, 2002-2018 (total ballots cast for highest office expressed as a percentage of eligible voters) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 2018 | 2016 | 2014 | 2012 | 2010 | 2008 | 2006 | 2004 | 2002 |
| Alabama | 47.20% | 59.00% | 32.90% | 58.60% | 43.00% | 60.80% | 37.50% | 57.40% | 39.50% |
| Alaska | 54.30% | 61.30% | 54.20% | 58.70% | 51.90% | 68.00% | 51.00% | 69.60% | 41.50% |
| Arizona | 48.60% | 55.00% | 33.40% | 52.60% | 41.00% | 56.70% | 38.90% | 54.80% | 54.20% |
| Arkansas | 41.40% | 52.80% | 40.10% | 50.70% | 37.50% | 52.50% | 38.70% | 54.40% | 35.90% |
| California | 48.60% | 56.70% | 29.90% | 55.10% | 44.00% | 60.90% | 40.20% | 59.60% | 41.30% |
| Colorado | 63.00% | 70.10% | 53.70% | 69.90% | 50.60% | 71.00% | 47.30% | 67.30% | 36.10% |
| Connecticut | 54.40% | 64.20% | 42.30% | 61.30% | 45.90% | 66.60% | 46.60% | 66.20% | 46.30% |
| Delaware | 51.00% | 64.40% | 34.30% | 62.30% | 47.50% | 65.60% | 42.30% | 64.50% | 42.30% |
| District of Columbia | 42.50% | 60.90% | 35.30% | 61.50% | 28.90% | 61.50% | 28.30% | 54.90% | 41.10% |
| Florida | 53.30% | 64.60% | 42.80% | 62.80% | 41.70% | 66.10% | 39.60% | 64.70% | 30.10% |
| Georgia | 54.90% | 59.20% | 38.20% | 59.00% | 39.80% | 62.50% | 34.70% | 56.40% | 45.60% |
| Hawaii | 38.50% | 42.20% | 36.20% | 44.20% | 39.90% | 48.80% | 37.90% | 48.50% | 35.40% |
| Idaho | 49.40% | 59.10% | 39.30% | 59.80% | 42.30% | 63.60% | 45.40% | 64.80% | 43.80% |
| Illinois | 50.70% | 61.90% | 40.20% | 58.90% | 42.40% | 63.60% | 40.20% | 62.40% | 44.70% |
| Indiana | 46.40% | 56.40% | 27.80% | 55.20% | 37.10% | 59.10% | 36.60% | 55.80% | 41.40% |
| Iowa | 57.40% | 68.40% | 49.80% | 70.30% | 49.90% | 69.40% | 48.10% | 70.60% | 33.90% |
| Kansas | 50.90% | 57.70% | 42.50% | 56.90% | 41.70% | 62.00% | 43.60% | 62.90% | 47.90% |
| Kentucky | 47.30% | 58.70% | 44.20% | 55.70% | 42.40% | 57.90% | 40.40% | 59.40% | 44.00% |
| Louisiana | 43.00% | 60.00% | 43.90% | 60.20% | 38.90% | 61.20% | 29.70% | 61.50% | 37.20% |
| Maine | 59.10% | 70.50% | 58.10% | 68.20% | 55.20% | 70.60% | 54.20% | 74.90% | 39.40% |
| Maryland | 53.50% | 66.60% | 41.70% | 66.60% | 46.40% | 67.00% | 46.70% | 63.10% | 50.80% |
| Massachusetts | 53.70% | 67.20% | 44.10% | 65.90% | 48.90% | 66.80% | 48.80% | 64.60% | 46.30% |
| Michigan | 56.60% | 64.70% | 42.70% | 64.70% | 44.50% | 69.20% | 52.10% | 67.10% | 49.20% |
| Minnesota | 63.90% | 74.20% | 50.40% | 76.00% | 55.40% | 77.80% | 60.10% | 78.80% | 44.50% |
| Mississippi | 42.50% | 55.60% | 29.00% | 59.30% | 37.00% | 61.00% | 29.40% | N/A | 64.10% |
| Missouri | 53.40% | 62.30% | 31.70% | 62.20% | 44.50% | 67.60% | 50.00% | 66.10% | 30.10% |
| Montana | 64.10% | 61.80% | 46.90% | 62.50% | 47.50% | 66.30% | 56.40% | 65.20% | 45.60% |
| Nebraska | 51.20% | 62.50% | 40.50% | 60.30% | 37.50% | 62.90% | 47.60% | 64.10% | 48.40% |
| Nevada | 47.40% | 57.30% | 29.30% | 56.40% | 41.30% | 57.00% | 36.90% | 55.40% | 39.90% |
| New Hampshire | 54.40% | 71.40% | 47.60% | 70.20% | 45.70% | 71.70% | 41.40% | 71.50% | 36.20% |
| New Jersey | 51.80% | 64.10% | 31.10% | 61.50% | 36.40% | 67.00% | 39.50% | 64.20% | 48.10% |
| New Mexico | 47.00% | 54.80% | 35.40% | 54.60% | 42.80% | 60.90% | 42.50% | 60.40% | 38.10% |
| New York | 44.30% | 56.80% | 28.20% | 53.10% | 35.50% | 59.00% | 34.90% | 58.50% | 38.60% |
| North Carolina | 48.70% | 64.80% | 40.80% | 64.80% | 39.20% | 65.50% | 31.00% | 58.70% | 36.10% |
| North Dakota | 57.80% | 60.90% | 43.80% | 59.80% | 46.20% | 62.70% | 44.90% | 65.50% | 39.70% |
| Ohio | 50.10% | 62.90% | 35.10% | 64.50% | 44.90% | 66.90% | 47.50% | 67.90% | 48.50% |
| Oklahoma | 42.40% | 52.40% | 29.90% | 49.20% | 38.80% | 55.80% | 36.40% | N/A | 38.80% |
| Oregon | 60.00% | 66.40% | 50.90% | 63.10% | 52.70% | 67.70% | 52.50% | 72.60% | 41.20% |
| Pennsylvania | 51.40% | 63.60% | 36.10% | 59.50% | 41.70% | 63.60% | 44.10% | N/A | 50.80% |
| Rhode Island | 47.50% | 59.00% | 41.70% | 58.00% | 44.80% | 61.80% | 51.00% | 58.90% | 38.80% |
| South Carolina | 44.70% | 56.70% | 34.80% | 56.30% | 39.70% | 58.00% | 34.60% | 53.20% | 44.70% |
| South Dakota | 53.00% | 58.50% | 44.30% | 59.30% | 52.90% | 64.70% | 57.80% | 69.40% | 36.90% |
| Tennessee | 44.60% | 51.20% | 28.60% | 51.90% | 34.60% | 57.00% | 41.40% | 56.80% | 60.70% |
| Texas | 46.30% | 51.60% | 28.30% | 49.60% | 32.10% | 54.10% | 30.90% | N/A | 39.60% |
| Utah | 51.20% | 56.70% | 29.70% | 55.50% | 36.30% | 56.00% | 34.30% | 59.80% | 34.20% |
| Vermont | 55.10% | 63.70% | 38.90% | 60.70% | 49.40% | 67.30% | 54.90% | 66.70% | 37.00% |
| Virginia | 54.60% | 66.10% | 36.60% | 66.10% | 38.70% | 67.00% | 44.00% | 61.10% | 48.80% |
| Washington | 58.10% | 64.80% | 41.20% | 64.80% | 53.20% | 66.60% | 47.30% | 67.50% | 29.00% |
| West Virginia | 41.70% | 50.10% | 31.20% | 46.30% | 36.80% | 49.90% | 32.80% | 55.10% | 41.80% |
| Wisconsin | 61.60% | 69.40% | 56.60% | 72.90% | 52.00% | 72.40% | 53.20% | 75.30% | 31.20% |
| Wyoming | 48.20% | 59.70% | 39.00% | 58.60% | 45.50% | 62.80% | 51.10% | 66.30% | 45.40% |
| United States | 49.70% | 59.30% | 36.0% | 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 25, 2019 | |||||||||
Voter turnout rates by year
See the tables below for information on voter turnout rates by state and by year. For tables whose contents are hidden, click "[show]" on the righthand side of the table header.
2018
| Voter turnout in the United States, 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast for highest office |
| Alabama | 47.30% | 47.20% |
| Alaska | 54.60% | 54.30% |
| Arizona | 49.10% | 48.60% |
| Arkansas | 41.40% | 41.00% |
| California | 49.60% | 48.60% |
| Colorado | 63.00% | 61.50% |
| Connecticut | 54.40% | 53.80% |
| Delaware | 51.40% | 51.00% |
| District of Columbia | 43.70% | 42.50% |
| Florida | 54.90% | 54.30% |
| Georgia | 55.00% | 54.90% |
| Hawaii | 39.30% | 38.50% |
| Idaho | 50.00% | 49.40% |
| Illinois | 51.40% | 50.70% |
| Indiana | 46.90% | 46.40% |
| Iowa | 57.70% | 57.40% |
| Kansas | 51.20% | 50.90% |
| Kentucky | 48.60% | 47.30% |
| Louisiana | 44.80% | 43.00% |
| Maine | 60.20% | 59.10% |
| Maryland | 54.20% | 53.50% |
| Massachusetts | 54.60% | 53.70% |
| Michigan | 57.80% | 56.60% |
| Minnesota | 64.20% | 63.90% |
| Mississippi | 42.70% | 42.50% |
| Missouri | 53.40% | 53.40% |
| Montana | 62.00% | 61.40% |
| Nebraska | 51.80% | 51.20% |
| Nevada | 47.50% | 47.40% |
| New Hampshire | 54.60% | 54.00% |
| New Jersey | 53.10% | 51.80% |
| New Mexico | 47.30% | 47.00% |
| New York | 45.20% | 44.30% |
| North Carolina | 49.60% | 48.70% |
| North Dakota | 58.60% | 57.80% |
| Ohio | 50.90% | 50.10% |
| Oklahoma | 42.50% | 42.40% |
| Oregon | 61.50% | 60.00% |
| Pennsylvania | 51.40% | 51.40% |
| Rhode Island | 48.10% | 47.50% |
| South Carolina | 45.20% | 44.70% |
| South Dakota | 53.30% | 53.00% |
| Tennessee | 45.10% | 44.60% |
| Texas | 46.30% | 46.30% |
| Utah | 52.00% | 52.10% |
| Vermont | 55.90% | 55.10% |
| Virginia | 54.80% | 54.60% |
| Washington | 58.90% | 58.10% |
| West Virginia | 42.50% | 41.70% |
| Wisconsin | 61.70% | 61.60% |
| Wyoming | 48.70% | 48.20% |
| United States | 50.30% | 49.70% |
| N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2018 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed February 25, 2019 | ||
2016
| Voter turnout in the United States, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast for highest office |
| Alabama | 59.30% | 59.00% |
| Alaska | 61.80% | 61.30% |
| Arizona | 56.20% | 55.00% |
| Arkansas | 53.10% | 52.80% |
| California | 58.40% | 56.70% |
| Colorado | 72.10% | 70.10% |
| Connecticut | 65.40% | 64.20% |
| Delaware | 64.60% | 64.40% |
| District of Columbia | 61.10% | 60.90% |
| Florida | 65.70% | 64.60% |
| Georgia | 59.90% | 59.20% |
| Hawaii | 43.00% | 42.20% |
| Idaho | 60.90% | 59.10% |
| Illinois | 63.40% | 61.90% |
| Indiana | 57.90% | 56.40% |
| Iowa | 69.00% | 68.40% |
| Kansas | 59.70% | 57.70% |
| Kentucky | 59.70% | 58.70% |
| Louisiana | 60.60% | 60.00% |
| Maine | 72.80% | 70.50% |
| Maryland | 67.20% | 66.60% |
| Massachusetts | 68.30% | 67.20% |
| Michigan | 65.70% | 64.70% |
| Minnesota | 74.80% | 74.20% |
| Mississippi | N/A | 55.60% |
| Missouri | 62.30% | 62.30% |
| Montana | 64.30% | 61.80% |
| Nebraska | 63.80% | 62.50% |
| Nevada | 57.30% | 57.30% |
| New Hampshire | 72.50% | 71.40% |
| New Jersey | 65.50% | 64.10% |
| New Mexico | 55.20% | 54.80% |
| New York | 57.30% | 56.80% |
| North Carolina | 65.20% | 64.80% |
| North Dakota | 61.90% | 60.90% |
| Ohio | 64.20% | 62.90% |
| Oklahoma | N/A | 52.40% |
| Oregon | 68.30% | 66.40% |
| Pennsylvania | N/A | 63.60% |
| Rhode Island | 59.70% | 59.00% |
| South Carolina | 57.30% | 56.70% |
| South Dakota | 59.90% | 58.50% |
| Tennessee | N/A | 51.20% |
| Texas | 51.60% | 51.60% |
| Utah | 57.70% | 56.70% |
| Vermont | 64.80% | 63.70% |
| Virginia | N/A | 66.10% |
| Washington | 65.70% | 64.80% |
| West Virginia | N/A | 50.10% |
| Wisconsin | N/A | 69.40% |
| Wyoming | 60.40% | 59.70% |
| United States | 60.20% | 59.30% |
| N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2016 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017 | ||
2014
| Voter turnout in the United States, 2014 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast for highest office |
| Alabama | 33.2% | 32.9% |
| Alaska | 54.8% | 54.2% |
| Arizona | 34.1% | 33.4% |
| Arkansas | 40.3% | 40.1% |
| California | 30.7% | 29.9% |
| Colorado | 54.7% | 53.7% |
| Connecticut | 42.5% | 42.3% |
| Delaware | 34.9% | 34.3% |
| District of Columbia | 35.7% | 35.3% |
| Florida | 43.3% | 42.8% |
| Georgia | 38.6% | 38.2% |
| Hawaii | 36.5% | 36.2% |
| Idaho | 39.8% | 39.3% |
| Illinois | 40.8% | 40.2% |
| Indiana | 28.7% | 27.8% |
| Iowa | 50.3% | 49.8% |
| Kansas | 43.3% | 42.5% |
| Kentucky | 44.9% | 44.2% |
| Louisiana | 44.9% | 43.9% |
| Maine | 58.7% | 58.1% |
| Maryland | 42.0% | 41.7% |
| Massachusetts | 44.7% | 44.1% |
| Michigan | 43.2% | 42.7% |
| Minnesota | 50.6% | 50.4% |
| Mississippi | N/A | 29.0% |
| Missouri | 33.6% | 31.7% |
| Montana | 47.5% | 46.9% |
| Nebraska | 41.4% | 40.5% |
| Nevada | 29.6% | 29.3% |
| New Hampshire | 48.3% | 47.6% |
| New Jersey | 32.5% | 31.1% |
| New Mexico | N/A | 35.4% |
| New York | 29.0% | 28.2% |
| North Carolina | 41.2% | 40.8% |
| North Dakota | 45.0% | 43.8% |
| Ohio | 36.2% | 35.1% |
| Oklahoma | 30.0% | 29.9% |
| Oregon | 53.4% | 50.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 36.5% | 36.1% |
| Rhode Island | 42.4% | 41.7% |
| South Carolina | 35.2% | 34.8% |
| South Dakota | 44.7% | 44.3% |
| Tennessee | 29.8% | 28.6% |
| Texas | N/A | 28.3% |
| Utah | 30.3% | 29.7% |
| Vermont | 40.8% | 38.9% |
| Virginia | 36.8% | 36.6% |
| Washington | 43.1% | 41.2% |
| West Virginia | 32.0% | 31.2% |
| Wisconsin | 56.9% | 56.6% |
| Wyoming | 39.7% | 39.0% |
| United States | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2014 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017 | ||
2012
| Voter turnout in the United States, 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast for highest office |
| Alabama | N/A | 58.60% |
| Alaska | 58.90% | 58.70% |
| Arizona | 53.00% | 52.60% |
| Arkansas | 51.10% | 50.70% |
| California | 55.70% | 55.10% |
| Colorado | 70.60% | 69.90% |
| Connecticut | 61.40% | 61.30% |
| Delaware | N/A | 62.30% |
| District of Columbia | 61.60% | 61.50% |
| Florida | 63.30% | 62.80% |
| Georgia | 59.30% | 59.00% |
| Hawaii | 44.50% | 44.20% |
| Idaho | 61.00% | 59.80% |
| Illinois | 59.30% | 58.90% |
| Indiana | 56.00% | 55.20% |
| Iowa | 70.60% | 70.30% |
| Kansas | 58.20% | 56.90% |
| Kentucky | 56.20% | 55.70% |
| Louisiana | 60.80% | 60.20% |
| Maine | 69.30% | 68.20% |
| Maryland | 67.30% | 66.60% |
| Massachusetts | 66.20% | 65.90% |
| Michigan | 65.40% | 64.70% |
| Minnesota | 76.40% | 76.00% |
| Mississippi | N/A | 59.30% |
| Missouri | N/A | 62.20% |
| Montana | 63.50% | 62.50% |
| Nebraska | 61.10% | 60.30% |
| Nevada | 56.50% | 56.40% |
| New Hampshire | 70.90% | 70.20% |
| New Jersey | 62.20% | 61.50% |
| New Mexico | 54.80% | 54.60% |
| New York | 53.50% | 53.10% |
| North Carolina | 65.40% | 64.80% |
| North Dakota | 60.40% | 59.80% |
| Ohio | 65.10% | 64.50% |
| Oklahoma | N/A | 49.20% |
| Oregon | 64.20% | 63.10% |
| Pennsylvania | N/A | 59.50% |
| Rhode Island | N/A | 58.00% |
| South Carolina | 56.80% | 56.30% |
| South Dakota | 60.10% | 59.30% |
| Tennessee | 52.30% | 51.90% |
| Texas | N/A | 49.60% |
| Utah | 56.10% | 55.50% |
| Vermont | 61.20% | 60.70% |
| Virginia | 66.60% | 66.10% |
| Washington | 65.80% | 64.80% |
| West Virginia | N/A | 46.30% |
| Wisconsin | 65.80% | 72.90% |
| Wyoming | 59.00% | 58.60% |
| United States | 58.60% | 58.00% |
| N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2012 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017 | ||
2010
| Voter turnout in the United States, 2010 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast for highest office |
| Alabama | 43.3% | 43.0% |
| Alaska | 52.9% | 51.9% |
| Arizona | 41.6% | 41.0% |
| Arkansas | 37.9% | 37.5% |
| California | 45.9% | 44.0% |
| Colorado | 51.7% | 50.6% |
| Connecticut | 45.9% | 45.9% |
| Delaware | 49.0% | 47.5% |
| District of Columbia | 29.6% | 28.9% |
| Florida | 42.2% | 41.7% |
| Georgia | 40.6% | 39.8% |
| Hawaii | 40.3% | 39.9% |
| Idaho | 42.9% | 42.3% |
| Illinois | 43.1% | 42.4% |
| Indiana | 38.1% | 37.1% |
| Iowa | 50.7% | 49.9% |
| Kansas | 42.6% | 41.7% |
| Kentucky | 44.3% | 42.4% |
| Louisiana | 40.0% | 38.9% |
| Maine | 55.9% | 55.2% |
| Maryland | 46.7% | 46.4% |
| Massachusetts | 49.4% | 48.9% |
| Michigan | 45.1% | 44.5% |
| Minnesota | 55.8% | 55.4% |
| Mississippi | N/A | 37.0% |
| Missouri | 45.7% | 44.5% |
| Montana | 48.4% | 47.5% |
| Nebraska | 38.7% | 37.5% |
| Nevada | 41.4% | 41.3% |
| New Hampshire | 46.1% | 45.7% |
| New Jersey | 37.7% | 36.4% |
| New Mexico | 44.7% | 42.8% |
| New York | 36.3% | 35.5% |
| North Carolina | 39.8% | 39.2% |
| North Dakota | 46.6% | 46.2% |
| Ohio | 46.2% | 44.9% |
| Oklahoma | 39.1% | 38.8% |
| Oregon | 53.9% | 52.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 42.4% | 41.7% |
| Rhode Island | 45.4% | 44.8% |
| South Carolina | 40.3% | 39.7% |
| South Dakota | 53.9% | 52.9% |
| Tennessee | 35.1% | 34.6% |
| Texas | 32.7% | 32.1% |
| Utah | 36.8% | 36.3% |
| Vermont | 49.8% | 49.4% |
| Virginia | 39.1% | 38.7% |
| Washington | 54.3% | 53.2% |
| West Virginia | 37.2% | 36.8% |
| Wisconsin | 52.4% | 52.0% |
| Wyoming | 46.0% | 45.5% |
| United States | 41.8% | 41.0% |
| N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2010 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017 | ||
2008
| Voter turnout in the United States, 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast for highest office |
| Alabama | 61.0% | 60.8% |
| Alaska | 68.3% | 68.0% |
| Arizona | 57.4% | 56.7% |
| Arkansas | 52.9% | 52.5% |
| California | 61.7% | 60.9% |
| Colorado | 71.6% | 71.0% |
| Connecticut | N/A | 66.6% |
| Delaware | 65.8% | 65.6% |
| District of Columbia | 61.7% | 61.5% |
| Florida | 66.6% | 66.1% |
| Georgia | 62.7% | 62.5% |
| Hawaii | 49.0% | 48.8% |
| Idaho | 64.8% | 63.6% |
| Illinois | 64.3% | 63.6% |
| Indiana | 60.3% | 59.1% |
| Iowa | 69.7% | 69.4% |
| Kansas | 63.5% | 62.0% |
| Kentucky | 59.0% | 57.9% |
| Louisiana | 61.8% | 61.2% |
| Maine | 71.8% | 70.6% |
| Maryland | 67.8% | 67.0% |
| Massachusetts | 67.3% | 66.8% |
| Michigan | 69.7% | 69.2% |
| Minnesota | 78.1% | 77.8% |
| Mississippi | N/A | 61.0% |
| Missouri | 68.2% | 67.6% |
| Montana | 67.1% | 66.3% |
| Nebraska | 63.7% | 62.9% |
| Nevada | 57.2% | 57.0% |
| New Hampshire | 72.5% | 71.7% |
| New Jersey | 67.7% | 67.0% |
| New Mexico | 61.2% | 60.9% |
| New York | 59.6% | 59.0% |
| North Carolina | 66.1% | 65.5% |
| North Dakota | 63.6% | 62.7% |
| Ohio | 67.8% | 66.9% |
| Oklahoma | 56.3% | 55.8% |
| Oregon | 68.3% | 67.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 64.2% | 63.6% |
| Rhode Island | 62.3% | 61.8% |
| South Carolina | 58.2% | 58.0% |
| South Dakota | 65.6% | 64.7% |
| Tennessee | 57.4% | 57.0% |
| Texas | N/A | 54.1% |
| Utah | 57.1% | 56.0% |
| Vermont | 67.7% | 67.3% |
| Virginia | 67.6% | 67.0% |
| Washington | 67.3% | 66.6% |
| West Virginia | 51.2% | 49.9% |
| Wisconsin | 72.7% | 72.4% |
| Wyoming | 63.1% | 62.8% |
| United States | 62.2% | 61.6% |
| N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2008 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017 | ||
2006
| Voter turnout in the United States, 2006 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast | Turnout as a percentage of total ballots cast for highest office |
| Alabama | N/A | 37.50% |
| Alaska | 51.20% | 51.00% |
| Arizona | 39.60% | 38.90% |
| Arkansas | 38.90% | 38.70% |
| California | 41.20% | 40.20% |
| Colorado | 48.10% | 47.30% |
| Connecticut | 47.70% | 46.60% |
| Delaware | 42.90% | 42.30% |
| District of Columbia | 28.70% | 28.30% |
| Florida | 40.10% | 39.60% |
| Georgia | 35.10% | 34.70% |
| Hawaii | 38.40% | 37.90% |
| Idaho | 46.20% | 45.40% |
| Illinois | 41.40% | 40.20% |
| Indiana | 37.70% | 36.60% |
| Iowa | 49.20% | 48.10% |
| Kansas | 44.30% | 43.60% |
| Kentucky | 44.20% | 40.40% |
| Louisiana | 31.40% | 29.70% |
| Maine | N/A | 54.20% |
| Maryland | 47.20% | 46.70% |
| Massachusetts | 49.30% | 48.80% |
| Michigan | 52.80% | 52.10% |
| Minnesota | 60.50% | 60.10% |
| Mississippi | N/A | 29.40% |
| Missouri | 51.20% | 50.00% |
| Montana | 57.10% | 56.40% |
| Nebraska | 48.80% | 47.60% |
| Nevada | 37.10% | 36.90% |
| New Hampshire | 42.90% | 41.40% |
| New Jersey | 40.60% | 39.50% |
| New Mexico | 43.10% | 42.50% |
| New York | 36.50% | 34.90% |
| North Carolina | 32.50% | 31.00% |
| North Dakota | 45.40% | 44.90% |
| Ohio | 49.50% | 47.50% |
| Oklahoma | N/A | 36.40% |
| Oregon | 53.20% | 52.50% |
| Pennsylvania | N/A | 44.10% |
| Rhode Island | 52.10% | 51.00% |
| South Carolina | 35.40% | 34.60% |
| South Dakota | 58.80% | 57.80% |
| Tennessee | 42.10% | 41.40% |
| Texas | N/A | 30.90% |
| Utah | 35.00% | 34.30% |
| Vermont | 55.00% | 54.90% |
| Virginia | 44.50% | 44.00% |
| Washington | 47.30% | 47.30% |
| West Virginia | 33.80% | 32.80% |
| Wisconsin | 53.70% | 53.20% |
| Wyoming | 51.80% | 51.10% |
| United States | 41.30% | 40.40% |
| N/A: Information was unavailable for this state in this year. Source: United States Elections Project, "2006 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017 | ||
Historical news coverage and studies
Click "[Show more]" below to see a sampling of historical news articles and studies dealing with the topic of voter turnout in the United States.
News articles
June 2014
- Ballot Access News, "California Primary Turnout Likely to be Lowest in State History," June 4, 2014
- Contra Costa Times, "Oakland Tribune editorial: Highest profile Assembly race is far from over," June 4, 2014
- National Journal, "Not Even Free Weed Will Get People to Vote in a Primary," June 4, 2014
- Los Angeles Times, "Analysis Poor California primary turnout explained: Contented people stay home ," June 4, 2014
- Star Ledger, "Despite some big races, voter turnout average in western Union County," June 3, 2014
May 2014
- Trib Live, "Antiquated state election law blamed for low turnout," May 25, 2014
- San Jose Mercury-News, "California election: Voter malaise might bring record-low primary turnout," May 25, 2014
- Evansville Courier & Press, "EDITORIAL: Henderson voter turnout embarassing," May 23, 2014
- Philadelphia City Paper, "Voter turnout dismal, but Democrats manage to pick Tom Wolf to take on Corbett," May 22, 2014
- News-Sentinel, "Allen County primary election turnout: 12.04 percent," May 7, 2014
- Chronicle-Telegram, "Voter turnout for primary election ‘abysmal’," May 7, 2014
November 2013
June 2013
March 2013
Studies and analysis
- University of California Santa Cruz, "New book examines states' influence on national voter turnout," May 21, 2014
- Brookings Institution, "Telling Americans to Vote, or Else," October 5, 2011
- Brookings Institution, " Moroccan Roulette: What Happens if You Hold an Election and Nobody Comes?" August 24, 2007
- University of Adelaide, "Low Voter Turnout in the United States: Is Compulsory Voting a Viable Solution?" April 2006 Published in the Journal of Theoretical Politics Volume Number 18, No. 2
- Cato Institute, "Three Myths about Voter Turnout in the United States," September 14, 2004
- United States Census, "The Decline in American Voter Turnout," November 1991
See also
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Voter turnout United States. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Footnotes
- ↑ United States Elections Project, "2018 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed February 25, 2019
- ↑ United States Elections Project, "2016 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017
- ↑ United States Elections Project, "2014 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017
- ↑ United States Elections Project, "2012 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017
- ↑ United States Elections Project, "2010 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017
- ↑ United States Elections Project, "2008 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017
- ↑ United States Elections Project, "2006 November General Election Turnout Rates," accessed October 5, 2017
