Question

which of the following characterizations of turnout trends are correct?

correct answer(s)

• more people vote in presidential elections than in midterm elections.
• turnout for midterm elections and presidential elections is about the same.
• turnout has been higher in recent presidential elections than it was in the 1970s and 1980s.

Explanation:

Analyze presidential versus midterm turnout

Historically in the United States, voter turnout is consistently and significantly higher in presidential election years compared to midterm congressional election years. This makes the first statement correct and the second statement incorrect.

Analyze historical turnout trends

U.S. voter turnout in presidential elections during the 1970s and 1980s generally hovered around 50% to 55%. Recent presidential elections (such as 2008, 2016, and especially 2020, which saw around 66% turnout) have experienced higher turnout rates than those decades. This makes the third statement correct.

Answer:

• More people vote in presidential elections than in midterm elections. (Correct answer)
• Turnout for midterm elections and presidential elections is about the same.
• Turnout has been higher in recent presidential elections than it was in the 1970s and 1980s. (Correct answer)