Starters Jonathan Milner Starters Jonathan Milner

How does race impact voter turnout?

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 from the visual above, about what percent of Whites voted in the 1980 election and about what percent of Blacks voted in the 2012 election?

  2. According to the data from the visual above, what racial group had the consistently lowest voter turnout rate since 1980?

  3. Describe the overall trend in voter turnout for all voters since 1980.

  4. According to the data from the visual above, describe how race effects voter turnout rates.

  5. According to the data form the visual below* there is a large racial voter registration gap. How do you think the voter registration gap influences the overall racial voting gap?

  6. Non-Hispanic white, Black, Asian, and Hispanic voters all had a decrease in turnout from the 2020 election. Hispanic voters saw the largest decrease, at nearly 6 percentage points. Why do you think that is?

  7. Make a claim about what would happen if voting rates based on race were flipped (i.e., Hispanics voted the most; and Whites voted the least).

  8. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act requires voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration and a photo ID at the time of voting. The SAVE America Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2026. This act is now being deliberated in the U.S. Senate. Both parties agree that voter registration should permit all eligible citizens—and only eligible citizens—to register and vote in federal elections. Although instances of noncitizen registration and voting are rare, the SAVE America Act’s goal of ensuring that only citizens can register to vote is important. But there are easier, more cost-effective ways to improve citizenship verification that don’t create new barriers for eligible voters. 

    Here’s what you need to know about the documentary proof of citizenship requirements of the SAVE America Act: 

    1. Citizenship is already a requirement to vote, and instances of noncitizen voting are rare.

    2. Many eligible citizens don’t have access to documentary proof of citizenship.

    3. There are better ways to verify citizenship that put the responsibility on government, not voters.

    4. The SAVE America Act could have unintended consequences for election officials and election administration.

    5. The SAVE America Act needs more time and resources to be implemented well.

    If you were a member of the U.S. Senate would you vote for the SAVE Act?

  9. If the SAVE Act became law, how do you think it would impact voter turnout by race?

  10. President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that he will not sign anything into law until the passage of the SAVE America Act, which would change voter ID requirements ahead of November's midterm elections. The GOP's signature election reform effort, which passed the House in February, now finds itself at the top of Trump's demands -- saying in a social media post on Sunday that passing the SAVE Act "supersedes everything else" and that he "will not sign other Bills until this is passed." Why do you think the SAVE Act is so important to Donald Trump?

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

Contact your U.S. Senators and let them know what you think about how they should vote on the SAVE Act?

Get Creative

I had AI write a sonnet about the joys of voting. See if you can do better on your own or with AI’s help.

The Joy of Voting

A sacred right, a voice that echoes clear,
In every ballot cast, a future's born.
With pen in hand, we banish doubt and fear,
And shape the world with hope, come every morn.

No tyrant's whim, no despot's iron fist,
Can steal the power that in freedom lies.
With every vote, a nation's soul persists,
And liberty's bright banner fills the skies.

Oh, let us cherish this, our solemn trust,
To choose the path that leads to common good.
For in our hands, the future is adjust,
And progress marches where our fathers stood.

So let us vote with hearts both brave and true,
And build a world where dreams can all come true.

Learning Extension*

2024 Presidential Vote by Race

Glossary

Read More