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 data above, what state had the biggest increase in voter turnout between 2016 and 2020?

2. Swing states are those in US presidential elections that could potentially be won by either candidate. Also known as battleground states, these states are where presidential candidates focus their energy and resources throughout the campaign period. In general, describe voter turnout in swing states in 2020.

3. Based only on the data from the map, explain whether it is possible to tell which state had the highest voter turnout in 2020?

4. How many states already had all voting-by-mail before 2016?

5. In general, explain the difference in voter turnout in Southern states and Northern states.

6. What was the estimated voter turnout of the voting-eligible population (VEP) in 2020?*

7. What does voting-eligible population (VEP) even mean in your words?

8. How does 2020 voter turnout (however you measure it) compare to voter turnout since 1980?*

9. The rise in turnout was fueled in part by the bitter fight between then incumbent President Donald Trump and then challenger Joe Biden: A preelection survey found a record share of registered voters (83%) saying it “really matter[ed]” who won. But another big factor was the dramatic steps many states took to expand mail balloting and early voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a rematch of the candidates do you think we should expect a high voter turnout in 2024?

10. Despite the big bump in turnout last year, the U.S. still lags behind most of its developed-nation peers when it comes to electoral participation. Out of 35 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for which estimates of voting-age population in the most recent national election were available, U.S. turnout ranked an underwhelming 24th. Why do you think U.S. voter turnout is so low?

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

The next election will be here sooner than you can imagine. If you are reading this you might just be eligible to vote in the next big election. Register to vote now.

Get Creative

If American voter turnout in the 2020 election were a drink, what would it be?

Learning Extension*

Look at the data of how voter turnout compares in different states.