Traditionally in the United States, voters who identify as white have the highest turnout rate of all major ethnic groups. Since the 1976 election, less than half of all eligible white voters under the age of 25 have participated in presidential elections, even falling below one third in the 2000 election. The overall participation among white voters gradually decreased from 1964 to 1996, before rising again in recent decades, and has fluctuated between 71 and 56 percent. The difference between white voters in the 25 to 44 bracket and the overall white turnout was relatively small in the 1960s and 70s, but has increased in the past three decades as voters over the age of 65 have brought the average up considerably. In the 1960s, white voters over the age of 65 were statistically less likely to vote than those aged 25 to 64, however, older voters have consistently had the highest participation rate in presidential elections since the 1996 election, with the margin of difference increasing steadily.
Voter turnout rates* among white voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020
Characteristic
Total
18-24
25-44
45-64
65+
2020
63.7%
49.7%
57.6%
66.9%
73.9%
2016
58.2%
41.1%
50.8%
63.4%
70.2%
2012
57.6%
37.8%
49.9%
64.3%
70.7%
2008
59.6%
43.8%
52.7%
66.6%
69.9%
2004
60.3%
42.6%
54%
68.6%
70.5%
2000
56.4%
33%
51.2%
65.6%
68.8%
1996
56%
33.3%
50.8%
66.1%
68.1%
1992
63.6%
45.4%
60.6%
71.8%
71.5%
1988
59.1%
37%
55.9%
69.2%
69.8%
1984
61.4%
41.6%
60%
69.8%
68.7%
1980
60.9%
41.8%
60.3%
70.7%
66%
1976
60.9%
44.7%
60.6%
69.9%
63.2%
1972
64.5%
51.9%
64%
71.9%
64.8%
1968
69.1%
52.8%
67.7%
76.1%
67.4%
1964
70.7%
52.1%
70.1%
77.2%
68.1%
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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.
Data from before 1972 is for 21 to 24 year olds, except for voters in Georgia and Kentucky (18-24), Alaska (19-24) and Hawaii (20-24). The 26th Amendment to the U.S. constitution lowered the minimum voting age to 18 across the country.
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US Census Bureau. (November 30, 2021). Voter turnout rates* among white voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 12, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096510/voter-turnout-white-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter turnout rates* among white voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020." Chart. November 30, 2021. Statista. Accessed October 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096510/voter-turnout-white-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. (2021). Voter turnout rates* among white voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096510/voter-turnout-white-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter Turnout Rates* among White Voters, by Age, in U.S. Presidential Elections from 1964 to 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096510/voter-turnout-white-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau, Voter turnout rates* among white voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096510/voter-turnout-white-voters-presidential-elections-historical/ (last visited October 12, 2024)
Voter turnout rates* among white voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 [Graph], US Census Bureau, November 30, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096510/voter-turnout-white-voters-presidential-elections-historical/