(NEXSTAR) – Voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election was among the highest in more than 100 years, with nearly 67% of voters heading to the polls on November 3, 2020. U.S. Census Bureau.
But some states actually raised their averages.
Data from the past few presidential elections suggests that turnout in a small number of states, typically led by Minnesota, has far exceeded the national average in each election year. For example, in 2020, about 79.21% of Minnesotans eligible to vote cast a ballot, followed by Colorado with 76.69%, Oregon and Washington with 75.33% each, and Wisconsin with 75.04%. University of Florida Elections Laboratory Resources directed by Dr. Michael P. McDonald.
McDonald, a political science professor whose data has been cited by news outlets such as the New York Times and the Associated Press, has compiled historic election data in his book. US Election Project, This reveals consistent trends among states reporting vote totals. (Some jurisdictions do not tally vote totals, which indicate all votes cast, including blank votes for the presidential office. Depending on the election year, that data may not be available in certain states.)
States with consistently high voter turnout in recent elections include Colorado, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin, but Minnesota hasn't lost yet. The state has had the highest turnout among its eligible voting population in every presidential election since 1980 and is the furthest state, according to the UF Elections Lab. Provides data on voter turnout by state.
Why is Minnesota at the top? st cloud times suggests that this is because the state allows same-day registration until Election Day, which leads to higher participation rates because of the close races for state leadership. (Minnesota also typically has its highest voter turnout during midterm election years, according to the Election Project.)
The St. Cloud Times went on to say that “higher rates of volunteer work and social engagement in states like Minnesota are associated with more engaged voters.”
Although not all states have such policies, looser voting laws may contribute to higher participation rates in some of the other states with the highest turnout rates. New Hampshire and Wisconsin, despite generally high voter turnout, have actually been among the toughest states for voters over the past few election cycles, Congress has found. It became. Election Law Journal Voting Cost Index.
Conversely, some of the least restrictive states have some of the lowest turnout in presidential elections, according to reports from states that are counting total votes.
States with the lowest voter turnout in recent elections often include Arkansas, South Carolina, and Texas, which are considered more restrictive, but also Arizona, Nevada, New York, and Hawaii. The latter is said to be one of the most accessible states for voters. Voting cost index.
Still, the share of U.S. voters who actually vote has been consistently rising for at least the past decade, thanks in part to advance voting and absentee voting allowances.
“As a result, we have seen a larger share of early voting each election cycle,” McDonald said. Associated Press this week.
Vote.org It also reported in September that “record proportions of young voters” had registered ahead of the 2024 election, including tens of thousands of voters in battleground states. The group's CEO said he hoped this could go a long way in increasing turnout and promoting plans to “activate even more voters across the country.”
Unsurprisingly, Minnesota has also stepped up efforts to “energize” voters with its policies. “Vote here” After an unusual mid-year, the state wasn't in the top In terms of voter participation.
In August, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said, “We've slipped a little bit from the top spot in 2022, but I think Minnesotans will show up this November and take us back to the top.” .
