In the past 30 years, voter turnout in the United States has been mostly
on the decline, with participation hovering just above 50-percent in
presidential elections - even during tight races like the one predicted
this year between President Bush and likely Democratic rival John Kerry.
Among the world's democracies, America ranks with Switzerland as the
countries with the lowest voter participation.
And during recent presidential primaries, voter turnout was some of the
lowest on record.
Statistics show that the lowest participation is among youth, or voters
between the ages of 18 and 25. Older voters - those over the age of 65
- are the most likely to vote.
The U.S. census bureau said its statistics have found that those most
likely to go to the polls are older individuals, homeowners, married
couples, and people with more schooling and higher incomes. The study
also found that many Americans say they do not vote because they are too
busy.
Some states have tried to boost turnout by making it easier for people
to register to vote and to cast ballots, through early voting and voting
by mail programs.