Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. According to the visual above, in the 2024 election, what states had the highest percent of voting-eligible population cast ballots?

2. According to the visual above, in the 2024 election, what was the percent of voting-eligible population cast ballots in your state?

3. Identify any geographical trend in the level of voter turnout in the United States.

4. Why do you think there is so much variation of voter turnout by state and region?

5. How do you think this information impacts how campaigns and elections are run?

6. How does the level of difficulty of voting in each state (see the cost of voting index below)* impact voter turnout (chart above) by state?

7. Since the 2020 election many states have made it even harder to vote. According to the Brennan Center For Justice the efforts to restrict voting have contin­ued into this year. Why do you think so many states are making it so much harder for people to vote?

8. In the 2020 elections The United States had its highest election turnout rate in 120 years according to the U.S. Elections Project: 66.9 percent. According t to preliminary data from this year, 2024 U.S. presidential election voter turnout was 65%. Why do you think that over 1/3 of eligible voters forfeited (gave up) their right to vote in the election?

9. Why do you think there was an overall decline in voting?

10. Imagine that the United States didn’t have an electoral college. Explain how that would impact the importance of the data from the chart above.

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

State legislatures are in charge of voting rules and registration. Contact your state legislature and let them know what you think about your voter turnout and offer them one suggestion of what they could do about it! Share your story in class or online.

Learning Extension*

Check out the Fair Vote website and information about why voter turnout is essential to a strong democracy.