Voter turnout since 1980
The share of eligible Americans who voted in each national election. Midterms always trail presidential years, but 2018 and 2022 were the highest in decades.
Midterms
| Year | Turnout |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 46.1% |
| 2018 | 50.1% |
| 2014 | 36.7% |
| 2010 | 41.0% |
| 2006 | 40.4% |
| 2002 | 39.5% |
| 1998 | 38.1% |
| 1994 | 41.1% |
| 1990 | 38.4% |
| 1986 | 38.1% |
| 1982 | 42.0% |
Presidential elections
| Year | Turnout |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 64.3% |
| 2020 | 66.4% |
| 2016 | 60.1% |
| 2012 | 58.6% |
| 2008 | 61.6% |
| 2004 | 60.1% |
| 2000 | 54.2% |
| 1996 | 51.7% |
| 1992 | 58.1% |
| 1988 | 52.8% |
| 1984 | 55.2% |
| 1980 | 54.2% |
Questions and answers
What was turnout in the 2022 midterms?
46.1% of eligible voters, the second highest since 1980 after 2018 (50.1%).
What was the highest turnout in decades?
The 2020 presidential election, at 66.4%.
Why do fewer people vote in midterms?
Without a presidential race driving attention and spending, turnout has dropped 10 to 22 points from the presidential election two years earlier, since 1980.
2026 turnout by state → · Midterms since 1946 → · Early vote →
Source: Michael P. McDonald, UF Election Lab, "National VEP Turnout Rates, 1789-Present" (v1.4), licensed CC BY 4.0. Turnout: votes for the highest office on the ballot divided by the voting-eligible population (adult citizens, minus those barred by law from voting).