Friday, Aug. 2, 2024
Are US voters under 30 less likely to vote than voters over 30?
Americans under 30 are significantly less likely to vote than their over-30 counterparts.
The Brookings Institute found that in the 2022 election:
31.2% of those 18-29 voted.46.8% of those 30-44 voted.58.3% of those 45-64 voted.66.8% of those 65+ voted.
More people vote in presidential elections than midterm elections. The 2020 election saw the highest turnout in recent U.S. history at 66.8%. Still, young voters were still the least represented.
The Census Bureau found that in the 2020 election:
57% of those 18-34 voted69% of those 35-64 voted74% of those 65+ voted
Evidence suggests young people are more likely to vote for the democratic nominee. A 2020 exit poll by CNN shows that 60% of those 18-34 and 47% of those 65+ voted for the democratic nominee, Joe Biden.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Brookings New voter turnout data from 2022 shows some surprises, including lower turnout for youth, women, and Black Americans in some states
- William Frey (Brookings) Turnout Table
- Brookings Turnout in 2020 election spiked among both Democratic and Republican voting groups, new census data shows
- US Census Record High Turnout in 2020 General Election
- CNN National Results 2020 President Exit Polls
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