Similarly to U.S. presidential elections, female voter participation overtook male voter participation in recent decades. While the share of male voters was five percent higher than female voters in 1966, female voters have consistently voted in higher numbers since 1986, while 51percent of eligible female voters participated in the 2018 midterm elections, compared to 47 percent of eligible male voters.
Voter turnout rates* among male and female voters in U.S. midterm elections from 1966 to 2018
Characteristic
National average
Male
Female
2018
49%
47.2%
50.6%
2014
38.5%
37.2%
39.6%
2010
41.8%
40.9%
42.7%
2006
43.6%
42.4%
44.7%
2002
42.3%
41.4%
43%
1998
41.9%
41.4%
42.4%
1994
45%
44.7%
45.3%
1990
45%
44.6%
45.4%
1986
46%
45.8%
46.1%
1982
48.5%
48.7%
48.4%
1978
45.9%
46.6%
45.3%
1974
44.7%
46.2%
43.4%
1970
54.6%
56.8%
52.7%
1966
55.4%
58.2%
53%
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*Voter turnout figures relate to the share of eligible voters who take part in the election, and does not represent the share of the entire population (for example, under-18's, non-citizens, felons (rules vary)). Residents in U.S. overseas territories are eligible to vote in general elections, but may not vote in the presidential election.
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US Census Bureau. (October 7, 2019). Voter turnout rates* among male and female voters in U.S. midterm elections from 1966 to 2018 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 09, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096293/voter-turnout-midterms-by-gender-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter turnout rates* among male and female voters in U.S. midterm elections from 1966 to 2018." Chart. October 7, 2019. Statista. Accessed November 09, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096293/voter-turnout-midterms-by-gender-historical/
US Census Bureau. (2019). Voter turnout rates* among male and female voters in U.S. midterm elections from 1966 to 2018. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 09, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096293/voter-turnout-midterms-by-gender-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter Turnout Rates* among Male and Female Voters in U.S. Midterm Elections from 1966 to 2018." Statista, Statista Inc., 7 Oct 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096293/voter-turnout-midterms-by-gender-historical/
US Census Bureau, Voter turnout rates* among male and female voters in U.S. midterm elections from 1966 to 2018 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096293/voter-turnout-midterms-by-gender-historical/ (last visited November 09, 2024)
Voter turnout rates* among male and female voters in U.S. midterm elections from 1966 to 2018 [Graph], US Census Bureau, October 7, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096293/voter-turnout-midterms-by-gender-historical/
