Between 1964 and 2020, turnout among black voters in U.S. presidential elections fluctuated between 48 and 62 percent, with the highest turnouts coming in 2008 and 2012, when Barack Obama (the first African American candidate from a major party) was the Democratic candidate. Voter turnout has always been lowest among those under 25 years of age, although younger black voters did participate in high numbers in the 1960s, during the civil rights movement, and again in 2008, during Obama's first election campaign; young black voters also participated in higher numbers than white voters of the same age between 2000 and 2012.
In 1964, black voters over the age of 65 voted at a similar rate to those in the 18 to 24 bracket, however they have consistently had the highest turnout rates among black voters in recent years, overtaking voters in the 45 to 64 years bracket (whose voting rate has consistently been between 60 and 70 percent) in the 1996 election.
Voter turnout rates* among black voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020
Characteristic
Total
18-24
25-44
45-64
65+
2020
58.7%
44.4%
53.6%
65.8%
68.2%
2016
55.9%
40.2%
52.2%
62.1%
66.6%
2012
62%
45.9%
58.9%
68.9%
73%
2008
60.8%
52.3%
58.7%
65.5%
66%
2004
56.3%
44%
54%
62.6%
64.1%
2000
53.5%
33.9%
52.1%
62.9%
64.7%
1996
50.6%
32.4%
47.8%
61.7%
63.7%
1992
54.1%
36.6%
52.1%
64.9%
64.1%
1988
51.5%
35%
48%
64.8%
63.5%
1984
55.8%
40.6%
56.2%
66.2%
61.5%
1980
50.5%
30.1%
51.9%
61.2%
59.4%
1976
48.7%
27.9%
49.6%
62.3%
54.3%
1972
52.1%
34.7%
55.6%
61.9%
50.6%
1968
57.6%
38.9%
60.3%
64.5%
49.9%
1964
58.5%
44.2%
61.5%
64.1%
45.3%
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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 black voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096577/voter-turnout-black-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter turnout rates* among black voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020." Chart. November 30, 2021. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096577/voter-turnout-black-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. (2021). Voter turnout rates* among black voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096577/voter-turnout-black-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter Turnout Rates* among Black Voters, by Age, in U.S. Presidential Elections from 1964 to 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096577/voter-turnout-black-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau, Voter turnout rates* among black voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096577/voter-turnout-black-voters-presidential-elections-historical/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Voter turnout rates* among black 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/1096577/voter-turnout-black-voters-presidential-elections-historical/