Voter turnout for u.s. national elections is ______.
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 Show President-elect Joe Biden's 2020 vote total shatters the 2008 record of 69.5 million votes cast for Barack Obama. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
President-elect Joe Biden's 2020 vote total shatters the 2008 record of 69.5 million votes cast for Barack Obama. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images More votes were cast in the 2020 presidential election than in any other U.S. election in history, and the turnout rate was the highest in more than a century. President-elect Joe Biden has now earned 80 million votes, and ballots are still being counted. That is by far the most votes cast for any presidential candidate in U.S. history. President Trump holds the distinction, however, of earning the second-most votes all time. About 74 million Americans voted for him. Biden's total shatters the 2008 record of 69.5 million votes cast for Barack Obama. The former vice president was also on that ticket as Obama's running mate. Loading... Overall, more than 156 million Americans cast ballots in 2020, a number that will continue to climb in coming days as more results are reported. The final vote total is likely to get to about 158 million. That is more than 20 million higher than the 2016 record of 137 million votes cast. The turnout rate is estimated to be 66.5% of eligible voters, the highest since 1900, according to the United States Elections Project. Loading... These are remarkable figures with voting taking place in the midst of a worldwide pandemic that has led to statewide lockdowns and more than 250,000 Americans dead in less than nine months. It also significantly reduced the abilities of campaigns to do in-person door knocking and voter registration ahead of the election. As the coronavirus became more widespread, most states adjusted their voting rules, including broadening access to early voting. As a result, some two-thirds of voters cast their ballots early, far surpassing 2016 rates. The sky-high turnout is due, in part, to the expanded mail-in voting. Traditionally, states that predominantly use voting by mail have higher participation rates than other states because of the reduced obstacle of waiting in line in person. The other reason, though, is Trump, who remains one of the most polarizing figures in American political history. Lots of people turned out for and against him. Democrats have now won the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. A Republican hasn't won it since George W. Bush's reelection in 2004. And yet, Democrats have only won the presidency in five of those elections because of the Electoral College. Democrats are concentrated on the coasts and in cities, making it harder to win the White House than their popular vote margins might suggest. In fact, in this election, Biden won the national popular vote by some 6 million votes so far, more than double Hillary Clinton's margin over Trump four years ago. But just 44,000 votes in Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin separated Biden and Trump from a tie in the Electoral College. Though Biden's margin is significant, it will likely go down as the 15th widest in U.S. history. Considering these polarizing times, it is a feat, but it's hardly a mandate. That's because polarization seemed to harden in this election. Blue areas (cities and Democratic-leaning suburbs) became bluer, and red areas (small towns and more rural places) became redder. Trump hasn't helped bridge the divide, as he still has yet to concede and until this week delayed the transfer of power. All of it will make for a challenge for Biden to govern, while needing to hit the ground running to address COVID-19 and the economy, as well as racial inequality. APRIL 29, 2021 — The 2020 presidential election had the highest voter turnout of the 21st century, with 66.8% of citizens 18 years and older voting in the election, according to new voting and registration tables released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. These data come from the 2020 Current Population Survey Voting and Registration Supplement for the November 2020 presidential election, which surveyed the civilian noninstitutionalized population in the United States. The table package shows patterns of voter turnout by race, Hispanic origin, age and other characteristics such as educational attainment and family income. Asian voter turnout was at an all-time high of 59.7% for the 2020 presidential election. As with past elections, a higher share of women (68.4%) than men (65.0%) turned out to vote. Voter turnout also increased as age, educational attainment and income increased. Voter turnout was highest among those ages 65 to 74 at 76.0%, while the percentage was lowest among those ages 18 to 24 at 51.4%. Overall, voter turnout increased as age increased, with the exception of 75-plus which had a turnout rate that was below 65-74 year-olds and not significantly different than the turnout for 55 to 64 year-olds. High school graduate turnout was 55.5%, while turnout for those with a bachelor’s degree was 77.9%. Overall, voter turnout increased as income increased, with the exception of those in the income ranges $10,000-$14,999 and $15,000-$19,999, which had turnouts that were not significantly different. For people whose income was $100,000-$149,999, turnout was 81.0%, while for people whose income was $30,000-$39,999, turnout was 63.6%. Despite COVID-19 concerns, 155 million people turned out for the 2020 presidential election. However, 4% (552,500) of registered nonvoters reported not voting due to their concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Other highlights from the table package include:
The Census Bureau has collected voting and registration data since 1964 and has fielded the Voting and Registration Supplement to the Current Population Survey every two years. This survey is the most comprehensive data source available on the social and demographic composition of the electorate in federal elections. Examining these characteristics and how they have changed over the years provides a better understanding of the social and demographic
characteristics of American voters. For more information on methodology, confidentiality protection, sampling and nonsampling error, and definitions, see The estimates presented in this table package may differ from those based on administrative data or exit polls due to factors such as survey nonresponse, vote misreporting and methodological issues related to question wording and survey administration. For data from previous presidential election years, visit the Voting and Registration page. To learn more about how citizens chose to participate in the presidential election and about the general turnout, read our “What Methods Did People Use to Vote in the 2020 Election?” and “Record High Turnout in 2020 General Election” America Counts articles. No news release associated with this product. Tip sheet only ### Is voter turnout increasing or decreasing in the US?Voter turnout also increased as age, educational attainment and income increased. Voter turnout was highest among those ages 65 to 74 at 76.0%, while the percentage was lowest among those ages 18 to 24 at 51.4%.
Why is voter turnout low in the US quizlet?What are some factors that contribute to low voter turnout in the U.s? -America's low turnout rate is partly the result of demanding registration requirements and the greater frequency of elections. Americans are responsible for registering to vote, whereas most democratic governments register citizens automatically.
How is voter turnout defined?In political science, voter turnout refers to the participation rate (often defined as those who cast a ballot) of a given election.
Why is voter turnout important quizlet?It promotes the stability of our democracy, it is an opportunity to vote one's preferences, and it is a measure of the accountability of elected representatives.
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