On May 8, the U.S. Census Bureau released its study of voting from the November 2012 election. The Bureau issues a report after each presidential and congressional election. Here is a link to the various tables.
Table 4a shows the voter turnout. One column calculates the turnout, as a percentage of the eligible adult citizen population. That column, headed “percent voted (citizen)” shows that Oklahoma had the third lowest turnout of any state. Oklahoma, in 2012 and in each of the two previous presidential elections as well, has not permitted anyone to vote for President other than the Democratic and Republican nominees. The only two states with lower turnout were West Virginia and Hawaii.
Table 10 has “Reasons for not voting”, but this table merely presents data for the entire United States, and does not break it down by state. The four leading reasons individuals gave for not voting are: (1) “Too busy, conflicting schedules”; (2) “Not interested”; (3) “Illness or Disability”; (4) “Did not like candidates.” It would be interesting to this data broken down by state.
Table 12 shows method of registration. National Journal has an interesting story, highlighting that data. Thanks to Rick Hasen for that link.
The problem with voter participation as a percentage of voting age population is that it artificially inflates the figures, as it includes inelegible adults (non citizens). That’s one of the reasons why voting participation is so low compared to other countries (a high number of voting age non citizens in the population).
Of course, there are other reasons people give for not voting, and having only two choices on the ballot for the highest office looks like a good reason.
But the chart calculated the turnout as a percentage of voting age citizens.
Presumably #3 is “Illness of Disability” rather than Illinois; I would hope that simply living in that state is not a detriment to voting there!
“3) Illinois or Disability” is hilarious.
#3 and #4, thank you. I have fixed the post. Can’t figure out what caused my mind to transform “illness” into “Illinois.”
Well, in some parts of Illinois even death doesn’t stop people from voting.
Paper snail mail ballots.
OR, WA, etc. manage to survive.
Is detected govt corruption above or below average in OR, WA, etc. ???
How many paper utility and tax bills manage to get delivered by snail mail ???
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How many of those DEAD voters from Illness in Chicago, IL graveyards are still voting ???
I don’t blame you for that mess-up. Things can get pretty sick here in Illinois, with Chicago practically controlling the entire state (I live in southern Illinois) and the Democratic Machine at its “finest”. Heck, State Rep. Bost has to throw a fit in order for southern Illinois to get noticed once in a while. Bost’s one of the very few (possibly the only one) major party politicians in which I have a slightly positive opinion about.
But back on topic, I’d definitely have to agree that a lack of choices, perceived or real, is one major reason why many people choose not to vote.
#5 You must have had Chicago Pox as a child.
Is it too late to submit that data as evidence to the SCOTUS in ‘Shelby County’? Washington, Minnesota, and Massachusetts had a very large under-participation among Black voters relative to White voters.
What percentage of over 18 year old USA citizens are functional illiterates — and thus can NOT read a Voter application form and/or ballot instructions ???
— Esp. in the usual suspect rotted States ???
A higher rate of prisoners in jail in some/many States ???
How much moving around of folks since the Great Depression II started in 2006-2007 ???
Thus – one more guessing game mess of stats — being used by the usual suspects in the usual suspect lawsuits ???