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What is the current state of voter turnout in the United States?

Grayce Plaistowe

Hey there, folks! If you're anything like me, you're probably wondering what the heck is going on with voter turnout in the good ol' United States. Well, I did some digging and let me tell you, it's a bit like trying to navigate your way through a corn maze after a few too many spiked apple ciders. But fear not, I'll do my best to break it down for you!

First things first, let's define what we mean by "voter turnout." Simply put, it's the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot. Easy enough, right? Well, not so fast. In recent years, voter turnout in the U.S. has been all over the map, like a nomadic tribe in search of their next meal. In the 2016 presidential election, just over 55% of eligible voters showed up to the polls. That may not sound too shabby, but when you consider that over 92 million eligible voters DIDN'T vote, it starts to look a lot less impressive.

So, what about more recent elections? I'm glad you asked. In the 2018 midterms, voter turnout hit a whopping 50-year high, with about 49% of eligible voters casting a ballot. Hey, progress is progress, am I right? But before we start patting ourselves on the back too hard, consider this: that still means over 100 million eligible voters stayed home.

Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking. "But wait, didn't we just have another presidential election? Tell us about that!" Okay, fine, I'll spill the tea. According to preliminary estimates, voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election was the highest we've seen in over a century, with somewhere around 66% of eligible voters casting a ballot. Huzzah! Pop the champagne! But hold on to your party hats, because there are a few caveats to consider.

For one thing, while a higher percentage of eligible voters turned out, the actual number of people who didn't vote is still pretty staggering. To put it in perspective, about 237 million people were eligible to vote in the 2020 election. If we assume a turnout rate of 66%, that means roughly 80 million people didn't vote. Yikes.

Another wrinkle to consider is how the pandemic may have impacted voter turnout. With many states expanding mail-in and early voting options to address safety concerns, it's possible that some people who might not have voted otherwise were able to cast a ballot this year. On the other hand, some folks who might have voted in person may have stayed home because of the pandemic. It's hard to say exactly how this all shakes out, but it's worth keeping in mind.

So, what's the bottom line? Well, like most things in life, it's complicated. While it's encouraging to see voter turnout creeping up in recent years, there's still a long way to go. Millions of eligible voters are still sitting on the sidelines, for a variety of reasons. But hey, the fact that you're reading this means you're at least interested in the topic, so that's a start! Who knows, maybe you'll inspire someone else to get out and vote next time around. Cheers to that!