To Vote or not to Vote?

There are more people gaining the right to vote today than ever before, but unfortunately, they do not take advantage of their power.  Approximately 75 percent of the current U.S. population is of voting age, but less than 40 percent of registered voters actually show up to the voting polls.  In 1950, approximately 12 million U.S. citizens were within 18-24 years old, while today that number has increased to over 20 million.

From our parents' generation to our own, the amount of voters that turn out to an election has steadily declined.  The graph below demonstrates the ebb and flow of voter turnout from 1944 to today.  The rise in votes in the 2008 election is somewhat skewed due to the importance of the results and the increase of young voter turnout.

Traditionally, the amount of voter turnout has been higher in those with college degrees.  In an era with more college graduates than before, one would expect the turnout of voters to be much larger as well.  In 1990, about 63 percent of college graduates casted their vote, compared to 42 percent of those with only a high school diploma.  At this time, college graduates made up for 20 percent of the U.S. adult population, they cast 27 percent of the votes.

In the 1990 Congressional Election, only 45 percent of those 18 and older reported of voting, the lowest report in two decades.  Only 56 percent of the population from 45 to 64 years old and 60 percent of those 65 and older turnout to vote.  Only 20 percent of those 18 to 14 years old and 41 percent of those 25 to 44 turnout to vote.

In 2000, there were 210,721,837 U.S. residents of voting age, and only 107,390,107 of those residents turned out to cast their vote, approximately 50 percent voter turnout.  In the 2010 election, the number of voting age residents raised to 235,809,266, and the turnout dropped to only 90,682,968 voters, a decrease to only 38 percent.

In the 2004 Presidential Election, there were 220,803,686 U.S. residents of voting age, and only 123,535,883 of those residents turned out to cast their vote, approximately 60 percent voter turnout.  By the 2008 election, the number of voting age U.S. residents rose to 230,782,870, but only 132,645,504 of those residents turned out to cast their vote, surprisingly only 57 percent voter turnout.

To learn more about voter turnout and census information, visit the U.S. Census.

Voting Patterns

As of the 2010 Census, Maryland is ranked as the wealthiest state in the United States, based on medium household income.  Maryland is also highly ranked for voter turnout, leading me to question if there was a direct correlation between the wealth of an area and voter turnout.

In 2000, 75 percent of registered Maryland voters casted a vote in the Presidential Election.
In 2002, 68 percent of registered Maryland voters casted a vote in the Gubernatorial Election.

Three of the five Maryland Counties in the 2000 election with the highest voter turnout are also listed in Maryland's Top 5 wealthiest counties.  Four of the five counties with the lowest turnout are also listed in Maryland's 5 poorest counties.

In the 2002 election, only 2 of the 5 counties with the highest turnout were also Maryland's wealthiest counties.  Only one of Maryland's poorest county was listed in the lowest turnout in this election.  This is likely because the poorer counties are more affected by the outcome of the Gubernatorial elections, and therefore, would exhibit a higher turnout in these elections.

From 1999 to 2002, 4 of the 5 poorest counties in Maryland have experienced a severe drop in voter turnout.  One possible reason for this trend could be that the population of those 65+ has increased, and voters in this age group may not be able to get to the voting polls as easily.

During this time, 3 of Maryland's wealthiest counties have experienced a rise in voter turnout.  One reason for this trend could be that the population of those 18 to 44 has significantly increased, leading to a higher number of voters in the counties.

With the exception of Baltimore City, Maryland's poorest counties historically vote Republican.
The wealthy counties in Maryland historically vote Democrat.  These counties also make up the 5 districts that control the outcome of any election in Maryland.

As of 2002, Alaska, Maine, Michigan, Indiana, and Vermont had the highest percentage of residents 18+ registered to vote.  Maryland was listed at 37th, with 68 percent of those over 18 registered to vote.
In the same election, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, California, and Georgia had the lowest percentage of residents 18+ registered to vote.

In the 2002 election, Minnesota, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, and Hawaii has the highest voter turnout.  Maryland came in 9th with 62 percent of their registered voters casted their vote in 2002.
In the same election, Washington D.C., Mississippi, Indiana, Virginia, and West Virginia had the lowest voter turnout.