ANKARA

The United States saw record voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election, held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In contrast, the 1948 election saw one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the post-World War II era, with a voter turnout of just 51%.

Trends after the Second World War

According to the American Presidency Project (APP), the lowest voter turnout in a U.S. presidential election occurred in 1924, when about 49% of registered voters took part.

Among the post-World War II elections, the 1948 election recorded the lowest voter turnout: approximately 48 million voters cast their ballots, representing a turnout of 51%. Harry S. Truman won the presidency in that election.

In the 1950s and 1960s, voter turnout in U.S. presidential elections was slightly above the national average. When Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected in 1952, around 61 million voters took part with a turnout of around 61%. In 1960, around 68 million voters took part with a turnout of 62%.

In the 1968 election there were approximately 73 million voters and a turnout of approximately 61%. However, in 1972, around 77 million voters took part, but turnout fell to around 55%.

Trends of the 1980s and 1990s

Ronald Reagan's election in 1980 and his successful re-election in 1984 saw steady turnout. Around 92 million voters took part in the 1984 election and turnout was around 55%.

In 1988, George HW Bush won the election with a turnout of about 53%. In 1992, more than 104 million people voted, increasing the turnout rate to around 58% when Bill Clinton defeated Bush.

Trends of the 2000s

In the 2000 election, George W. Bush won with about 105 million votes cast, a turnout of about 54%. In 2004 he won again, with around 55 million people voting.

In the 2008 elections, voter turnout increased significantly: around 131 million voters (61% turnout) voted for Barack Obama. This marked a notable increase in voter engagement.

Trends of the 2010s

In the 2012 election, Obama was re-elected with around 129 million eligible voters, which corresponds to a turnout of around 58%. In the 2016 presidential election, voter turnout was approximately 59% with over 136 million votes cast, resulting in Donald Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton.

Highest voter turnout in 2020

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

Of around 244 million eligible voters, almost 160 million took part, and the turnout was around 66%. Joe Biden won the election, defeating incumbent Donald Trump.

*Writing from Muhammed Enes Calli in Istanbul

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