Voter Turnout Presidential Elections Vs Midterm Elections

Voter turnout typically drops during midterm elections compared to presidential election years.

Voter turnout presidential elections vs midterm elections. As mcdonald s chart shows in the early decades of the republic midterm elections typically drew more voters than presidential contests. Midterm elections by ethnicity 1966 2018. The 2014 midterm election was the lowest turnout since world war ii.

On average about 54 of the electorate was aged 45 or older in the most recent presidential elections while an average of 64 of the midterm voters nearly two thirds were 45 or older. Voter turnout in u s. This may be due to indifference or disenchantment with the government.

Based on that adjusted base turnout in recent elections was rather higher. Until the 1840 and 1842 elections midterm elections also had a higher turnout rate than their corresponding presidential elections although this trend has been reversed since these years. On average about 54 of the electorate was aged 45 or older in the most recent presidential elections while an average of 64 of the midterm voters nearly two thirds were 45 or older.

In general voter turnout has been decreasing since 1960. Voter turnout in u s. Overall 53 of the adult population is 45 or older so older voters are significantly overrepresented in midterm elections.

Presidential and midterm elections 1789 2018. Take a look at this graph that looks at the voter turnout since 1942.