Voter Turnout in 2024 Remained High in Key States

Voter turnout was as high if not higher in many key states in the 2024 general election compared to 2020, new data from States United shows.

Michigan, for example, set a new voter turnout record in November 2024 at 72%. Not only is Michigan one of the states considered to be decisive in determining the outcome of presidential elections, but the state also enacted new legislation in recent years that expanded early and mail-in voting.

Other closely contested states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also saw increases in turnout. Voter turnout remained steady between 2020 and 2024 in Georgia and Nevada and declined slightly in Arizona and North Carolina.

These figures from States United are part of a new release of turnout data from the 2023 and 2024 elections. The data tracks overall turnout, along with turnout for presidential, U.S. Senate, attorney general, secretary of state, and gubernatorial contests in both general and primary elections.

States United has tracked turnout numbers for primary and general elections dating back to the 2000 presidential election.

Down-Ballot Voting Increased

Among several emerging trends, the turnout data show that the number of voters who only vote for candidates at the top of the ballot declined in many states in 2024. Roll-off, as it is commonly called, is when voters leave many state and local races unmarked lower down on the ballot.

Between 2000 and 2012, the average roll-off from the highest-ranked office on the ballot to the state office with the lowest number of votes was around 4%. Roll-off in 2024 was less than 1%.

Those down-ballot races are generally not as well-known among voters as presidential and other high-profile contests. Because it’s often harder to find information on those candidates, or the importance of these offices may be underappreciated by the public, voters often leave those races blank.

The decrease in roll-off means greater democratic participation; more voters are casting ballots for statewide races. A rise in political polarization could also be a cause, since voters increasingly feel it is important to ensure candidates that fit their politics are represented in all levels of government. Finally, because of greater media attention and the work by pro-democracy organizations, more voters may be understanding that many of the decisions that impact their day-to-day lives happen at the state level.

Declining Turnout in Less Competitive States

Though there were several positive turnout trends from 2020 to 2024, the data does show a decline in non-competitive states. This is typical: People are less likely to vote if they feel like their vote will not change the outcome.

And while there was a spike in voter turnout in many states in 2020 because of an increase in mail-in voting during the pandemic, turnout tapered off modestly in many states during the 2024 general election.