In presidential elections until 1980, eligible male voters had a higher turnout rate than that of their female counterparts, however this trend has reversed in the past four decades. Another trend that began in 1980, was the direct correlation between age and participation, where the likelihood of voting increased with age. Over the 56 year period shown here, turnout among male voters has ranged between 72 percent and 53 percent, with younger voters consistently having the lowest turnout. Since 1964, male voters aged between 18 and 24 have had the lowest participation rate, ranging from just over fifty percent in the 1960s, to below 30 percent in the 2000 election. In many years, those in the oldest age bracket have voted at more than twice the rate of those in the youngest.
Voter turnout rates* among male voters by age in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020
Characteristic
Total
18-24**
25-44
45-64
65+
2020
59.5%
45.8%
52.1%
63.9%
72.9%
2016
53.8%
36.5%
45.5%
59.9%
70.1%
2012
54.4%
34.7%
46.2%
61.7%
71.9%
2008
55.7%
41%
48.4%
63%
70.2%
2004
56.3%
38.8%
49%
65.3%
71.9%
2000
53.1%
30%
47.3%
62.7%
71.4%
1996
52.8%
29.8%
46.8%
63.7%
70.9%
1992
60.2%
40.5%
55.8%
69.8%
74.5%
1988
56.4%
34.1%
51.8%
68.1%
73.3%
1984
59%
38.7%
56.3%
69.8%
71.9%
1980
59.1%
38.5%
57.1%
69.8%
70.4%
1976
59.6%
40.9%
57.9%
69.7%
68.3%
1972
64.1%
48.8%
62.5%
72.2%
70.7%
1968
69.8%
50.3%
67.2%
76.6%
73.1%
1964
71.9%
51.5%
70%
78.5%
73.7%
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*Voter turnout figures relate to the share of eligible voters who take part in the election, and does not represent the share of the entire population (for example, under-18's, non-citizens, felons (rules vary)). Residents in U.S. overseas territories are eligible to vote in general elections, but may not vote in the presidential election.
**Data from before 1972 is for 21 to 24 year olds, except for voters in Georgia and Kentucky (18-24), Alaska (19-24) and Hawaii (20-24). The 26th Amendment to the U.S. constitution lowered the minimum voting age to 18 across the country.
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US Census Bureau. (November 30, 2021). Voter turnout rates* among male voters by age in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096646/voter-turnout-male-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter turnout rates* among male voters by age in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020." Chart. November 30, 2021. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096646/voter-turnout-male-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. (2021). Voter turnout rates* among male voters by age in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096646/voter-turnout-male-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau. "Voter Turnout Rates* among Male Voters by Age in U.S. Presidential Elections from 1964 to 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096646/voter-turnout-male-voters-presidential-elections-historical/
US Census Bureau, Voter turnout rates* among male voters by age in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096646/voter-turnout-male-voters-presidential-elections-historical/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Voter turnout rates* among male voters by age in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 [Graph], US Census Bureau, November 30, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096646/voter-turnout-male-voters-presidential-elections-historical/