ANKARA

The US saw record voter participation in the 2020 presidential election, held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In contrast, the 1948 election recorded one of the lowest participation rates in the post-World War II era, with a turnout of only 51%.

Trends after the Second World War

According to The American Presidency Project (APP), the lowest turnout in the U.S. presidential election occurred in 1924, with approximately 49% of registered voters participating.

Of the post-World War II elections, the 1948 election had the lowest turnout, with approximately 48 million voters casting ballots, resulting in a turnout rate of 51%. Harry S. Truman won the presidency in that election.

During the 1950s and 1960s, U.S. presidential elections had a slightly higher than average national turnout rate. In 1952, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected, approximately 61 million voters participated, with a turnout rate of approximately 61%. In 1960, approximately 68 million voters participated, with a turnout rate of 62%.

In the 1968 elections there were approximately 73 million voters and a turnout rate of approximately 61%. However, in 1972, approximately 77 million voters participated, but the turnout rate fell to approximately 55%.

Trends from the 80s and 90s

Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980 and his successful re-election in 1984 saw steady participation. The 1984 elections had approximately 92 million voters, with a turnout rate of approximately 55%.

In 1988, George HW Bush won the election with approximately 53% voter participation. More than 104 million people voted in 1992, increasing the participation rate to about 58% when Bill Clinton defeated Bush.

Trends from the 2000s

In the 2000 election, George W. Bush won with approximately 105 million votes cast, leading to a turnout rate of approximately 54%. In 2004 he won again, with about 55 million votes.

The 2008 election saw a significant increase in turnout, with approximately 131 million voters participating (61% turnout), electing Barack Obama. This marked a notable increase in voter engagement.

Trends from 2010

Obama was re-elected in the 2012 election, in which approximately 129 million voters participated, a turnout rate of approximately 58%. The 2016 presidential election saw approximately 59% of voters turn out, with more than 136 million votes cast, leading to Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton.

Highest attendance in 2020

The 2020 presidential election saw the highest turnout in the U.S. since 1900. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states expanded voting by mail or drop-off options.

Of the approximately 244 million eligible voters, almost 160 million participated, with a turnout rate of approximately 66%. Joe Biden won the election, defeating incumbent Donald Trump.

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli in Istanbul

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