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Registered Voter Turnout Improved in
2000 Presidential Election, Census Bureau Reports
The voting rate of citizens who were registered rose sharply in 2000 as
86 percent cast ballots, compared with the all-time low of 82 percent in
1996, according to a report released today by the Commerce Department's
Census Bureau.
"Most people who are registered to vote actually vote," said Amie
Jamieson, one of the authors of Voting and Registration in the
Election of November 2000 [pdf]. "Historically, the likelihood of
actually voting, once registered, has remained high, with the peak at
91 percent in 1968."
The voting rate of all citizens both registered and nonregistered rose
from 58 percent to 60 percent and their registration rate dropped
slightly, from 71 percent to 70 percent, between the 1996 and 2000
elections.
The voting rate for African American citizens increased by 4 percentage
points, to 57 percent, while the rate for non-Hispanic Whites increased by
1 percentage point to 62 percent.
While turnout by Asian and Pacific Islander citizens (43 percent) and
Hispanic citizens (45 percent) remained unchanged, the number of these
voters increased about 20 percent. This reflected growth in the voting-age
and citizen population of these two groups. (The voting rates for Asian
and Pacific Islander citizens and Hispanic citizens were similar.)
Registration rates of voting-age citizens dropped significantly between
1996 and 2000 for men; women; non-Hispanic Whites; Asians and Pacific
Islanders; and all age groups. Registration rates were unchanged for
eligible African Americans and Hispanics.
Turnout and registration data are not available for American Indians and
Alaska Natives because of the group's relatively small population.
Other highlights:
- Among registered voters who failed to cast ballots, 1-in-5 reported
they were "too busy" to vote.
- The District of Columbia, Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota and
Wisconsin had the highest turnout (all around 70 percent) and
Hawaii had the lowest (44 percent).
- Most states with same-day registration or no registration
requirement had higher voting rates than the national average.
- In Oregon, where all ballots were mailed in for the first time, the
citizen voting rate was 67 percent -- higher than in most other
states.
- Voting and registration rates were highest in the Midwest.
- Absentee and early voting were most popular in the West.
- People most likely to go to the polls were older individuals,
homeowners, married couples, and people with more schooling and
higher incomes.
The Census Bureau has collected voting data since 1964 and citizenship
data since 1994 in the Current Population Survey (CPS).
Data are from the November 2000 CPS. Statistics from surveys are subject
to sampling and nonsampling error. The CPS routinely overestimates voter
turnout. As discussed in greater detail in the report, the CPS' estimate
of overall turnout (111 million) differs from the "official" turnout
(105.6 million votes cast), as reported by the Clerk of the House.
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Page Last Modified: February 27, 2002