Number Of Registered Voters By State

Understanding the number of registered voters per state is a crucial factor in gauging the democratic pulse of a nation. It is a parameter that impacts election outcomes and illuminates the level of political participation and engagement across the United States. Voter registration, simply put, is the process by which eligible citizens sign up to exercise their right to vote. This varies from state to state, with some implementing automatic registration, while others require manual submission of an application, and these differing methods can significantly affect registration rates.

A significant turnaround was seen in the recent 2020 presidential elections, where around 66.8% of U.S. citizens aged 18 and over voted - marking the highest voter turnout of the century. Notably, every state reported an increased voter turnout compared to the 2016 Presidential Election, despite the looming shadow of COVID-19 pandemic. Various contextual elements, including race, age, and educational attainment, also impact voter registration and turnout. Furthermore, certain policies such as automatic voter registration, same-day registration, online registration, early voting, and restoring voting rights for previously incarcerated people have shown to bolster registration and participation.

• Alaska leads the nation with a registered voter percentage of 81.1%, followed closely by Michigan and Maine with 80.7% and 80.6% respectively. This high level of registration portrays an engaged and politically active citizenry. 
• States such as Kentucky, Vermont, and North Dakota follow suit, but only North Dakota drops below the 75% mark at 74.5%.
• Interestingly, the data contrasts sharply at the lower end of the spectrum, with Wyoming registering only 48.1% of its eligible voters, . This is followed by Texas at 52.3%, both well below the national average.
• Also noteworthy is the fact that seven of the ten states showing the largest increase in voter turnout in the 2020 Presidential elections, including Colorado and Oregon, conducted the election through mainly, or entirely, mail-in ballots. This could indicate a potential policy mechanism to enhance voter registration and participation.
• When examining the data, most states hover around the 60-70% mark, demonstrating a relatively homogenous registration ratio across the nation, regardless of state-wise differences like resident demographics, local policies or socio-economic indicators.