Voter turnout among white voters U.S. presidential elections 1964-2020

Traditionally in the United States, voters who identify as white have the highest turnout rate of all major ethnic groups. Since the 1976 election, less than half of all eligible white voters under the age of 25 have participated in presidential elections, even falling below one third in the 2000 election. The overall participation among white voters gradually decreased from 1964 to 1996, before rising again in recent decades, and has fluctuated between 71 and 56 percent. The difference between white voters in the 25 to 44 bracket and the overall white turnout was relatively small in the 1960s and 70s, but has increased in the past three decades as voters over the age of 65 have brought the average up considerably. In the 1960s, white voters over the age of 65 were statistically less likely to vote than those aged 25 to 64, however, older voters have consistently had the highest participation rate in presidential elections since the 1996 election, with the margin of difference increasing steadily.

Voter turnout rates* among white voters, by age, in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020

Characteristic	Total	18-24	25-44	45-64	65+
2020	63.7%	49.7%	57.6%	66.9%	73.9%
2016	58.2%	41.1%	50.8%	63.4%	70.2%
2012	57.6%	37.8%	49.9%	64.3%	70.7%
2008	59.6%	43.8%	52.7%	66.6%	69.9%
2004	60.3%	42.6%	54%	68.6%	70.5%
2000	56.4%	33%	51.2%	65.6%	68.8%
1996	56%	33.3%	50.8%	66.1%	68.1%
1992	63.6%	45.4%	60.6%	71.8%	71.5%
1988	59.1%	37%	55.9%	69.2%	69.8%
1984	61.4%	41.6%	60%	69.8%	68.7%
1980	60.9%	41.8%	60.3%	70.7%	66%
1976	60.9%	44.7%	60.6%	69.9%	63.2%
1972	64.5%	51.9%	64%	71.9%	64.8%
1968	69.1%	52.8%	67.7%	76.1%	67.4%
1964	70.7%	52.1%	70.1%	77.2%	68.1%

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Release date

2021

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Region

United States

Survey time period

1964 to 2020

Supplementary notes

*Voter turnout figures relate to the share of eligible voters who take part in the election, and does not represent the share of the entire population (for example, under-18's, non-citizens, felons (rules vary)).
Residents in U.S. overseas territories are eligible to vote in general elections, but may not vote in the presidential election.

Data from before 1972 is for 21 to 24 year olds, except for voters in Georgia and Kentucky (18-24), Alaska (19-24) and Hawaii (20-24). The 26th Amendment to the U.S. constitution lowered the minimum voting age to 18 across the country.

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