In the 2024 U.S. general election, more than 155 million Americans cast their ballots, making their voices heard in one of the most hotly contested elections in recent history. Despite high engagement and a tight race for the White House, roughly 90 million eligible voters did not vote. This leads to the critical question: How many people didn’t vote in the 2024 election?
While 2024 saw a high turnout rate, preliminary data suggests that approximately 36% of eligible voters chose not to participate. In this blog post, I’ll dive into the details of voter turnout, why millions didn’t vote, and how this election compares to past years. Let’s explore why voter participation remains a key factor in shaping the future of American democracy.
1. How Many Americans Didn’t Vote in 2024?
According to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, 245 million Americans were eligible to vote in the 2024 general election. This number includes U.S. citizens aged 18 and older, excluding non-citizens and felons who are disenfranchised in many states. Despite this large voting pool, preliminary reports show that around 155 million ballots were cast.
That leaves approximately 90 million people who didn’t vote, which represents around 36% of the eligible voting population.
So, why didn’t they vote?
2. Reasons Behind Low Voter Turnout
The decision to not vote in a presidential election can stem from many factors. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Voter Apathy: Many eligible voters simply feel disconnected from the political process or believe that their vote won’t matter. In a highly polarised political climate, some may not see a candidate they can fully support.
- Voter Disenfranchisement: Barriers such as voter ID laws, limited access to polling stations, or complications around registration may prevent individuals from voting, especially in certain states.
- Busy Lifestyles: Some people may struggle to find time to vote due to work commitments, family responsibilities, or the lack of convenient early voting options.
- Misinformation and Confusion: Confusion about voting procedures, polling locations, and even the legitimacy of the election can deter people from voting. Misinformation and fake news, especially on social media, can exacerbate this issue.
Despite these challenges, it’s important to note that voter turnout in the U.S. has been improving over the years, though millions of people still remain disengaged.
3. Voter Turnout in 2024 vs Previous Elections
Voter turnout is a key metric for understanding the state of democracy in any country. In the case of the U.S., voter participation has fluctuated greatly over the years. Let’s compare 2024 to previous elections:
- 2024 Election: Preliminary data suggests a 64% voter turnout among the voting-eligible population, slightly lower than 2020, but still a strong showing given the contentious political environment.
- 2020 Election: The 2020 presidential election saw a record high turnout of 66%, largely due to the expansion of mail-in voting and early voting spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the highest turnout of the 21st century.
- 2016 Election: Voter turnout in 2016 was 60%, showing a sharp decline compared to 2020, as many people felt disillusioned with the candidates or the political system in general.
- 2012 Election: In 2012, 58% of eligible voters cast ballots, reflecting the ongoing challenges of voter engagement and disenfranchisement.
From this comparison, we see that while voter turnout has been improving over the years, the percentage of non-voters remains alarmingly high, particularly given how pivotal each vote is in determining election outcomes.
4. States with the Highest and Lowest Voter Turnout in 2024
Not all states are created equal when it comes to voter participation. In the 2024 election, some states saw impressively high turnout, while others lagged behind. Here’s a breakdown of the highest and lowest voter turnout rates:
Highest Voter Turnout States:
- Minnesota: With an astounding 76.41% voter turnout, Minnesota led the nation in 2024, continuing its tradition of high engagement. This state has consistently seen high turnout rates in recent years.
- Wisconsin: Close behind, Wisconsin had 76.37% turnout. This is particularly notable given how important Wisconsin was in the 2024 election, with both major parties vying for its critical swing-state status.
Lowest Voter Turnout States:
- Arkansas: With just 53.47% voter turnout, Arkansas had one of the lowest participation rates in the country. This reflects a broader trend in southern states where voter turnout tends to be lower, often due to systemic barriers and historical disenfranchisement.
- Hawaii: With 50.27% voter turnout, Hawaii has traditionally struggled with low participation. Its remote location and lack of accessible polling stations may be contributing factors.
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma saw only 53.28% of eligible voters casting ballots, underscoring the challenges of engaging voters in many conservative-leaning states.
The disparities in voter turnout across states highlight the need for electoral reforms aimed at increasing access to voting and removing barriers that disenfranchise certain groups of people.
5. Why Does Voter Turnout Matter?
Voter turnout isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reflection of how engaged and invested the population is in the democratic process. Low turnout means that the decisions made in elections don’t represent the views of the entire population, which can result in skewed policies and governance.
Here’s why high voter turnout is essential for the health of democracy:
- Legitimacy of Elections: When more people vote, the outcome is more reflective of the will of the people, which strengthens the legitimacy of the election.
- Increased Representation: Higher turnout means more diverse perspectives are considered, leading to more inclusive policies.
- Greater Accountability: Elected officials are more accountable to the people when a large portion of the electorate votes, reducing the risk of corruption or undemocratic practices.
6. How Can We Improve Voter Turnout in the U.S.?
Despite improvements in voter turnout, there is still much work to be done to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot. Here are a few strategies that could help:
- Voter Education: Increasing awareness about the importance of voting and how to register can motivate more people to participate.
- Making Voting Easier: Expanding access to early voting, same-day registration, and mail-in ballots can make it easier for busy people to vote.
- Combating Voter Suppression: Efforts to reduce the influence of voter ID laws and other restrictive measures can help level the playing field and encourage more participation.
Conclusion: What Can We Do Next?
The 2024 election highlighted both the successes and challenges of U.S. voter participation. While a strong turnout of 64% was achieved, the fact that nearly 90 million eligible voters didn’t cast ballots is a reminder that we must continue to address the barriers preventing full engagement.
By making voting more accessible and ensuring that every citizen feels their voice matters, we can work towards improving future elections and building a more inclusive democracy.
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