Voter turnout among female voters U.S. presidential elections 1964-2020

In presidential elections from 1980 onwards, eligible female voters have had a higher turnout rate than that of their male counterparts. Since 1964, female voters aged between 18 and 24 have had the lowest participation rate, ranging from just over fifty percent in the 1960s, to below 35 percent in the 2000 election; however, in 2020, turnout among the youngest female voters reached its highest level in almost 50 years. Historically, female voters in the 45 to 64 age bracket were the most likely to vote, until the 2016 election saw those in the 65 and over category have the highest participation rate; this change in voting trends occurred with male voters in 1980. In 2016 and 2020, participation among female voters directly correlated with age.

Voter turnout rates* among female voters by age in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020

Characteristic	Total	18-24**	25-44	45-64	65+
2020	63%	50.2%	57.8%	67%	71%
2016	58.1%	42.4%	52.3%	63.3%	67.1%
2012	58.5%	41.3%	56.4%	68.8%	68%
2008	60.4%	47.7%	55.3%	66.9%	66.5%
2004***	60.1%	44.9%	55.4%	67.9%	66.7%
2000	56.2%	34.6%	52.3%	65.3%	64.8%
1996	55.5%	35%	51.5%	65.1%	64.1%
1992	62.3%	45.1%	60.6%	70.2%	67%
1988	58.3%	38.2%	56.1%	67.7%	65.6%
1984	60.8%	42.8%	60.5%	69.8%	64.8%
1980	59.4%	41.2%	60.1%	68.9%	61.3%
1976	58.8%	43.4%	59.5%	67.9%	58%
1972	62%	50.4%	62.9%	69.6%	58.4%
1968***	66%	50.6%	66.1%	73.3%	58.5%
1964	67%	50.5%	68%	73.5%	60.4%

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Release date

2021

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Region

United States

Survey time period

1964 to 2020

Supplementary notes

*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.

***The figure for the 25 to 44 age group in 2004 was mistakenly reported as 44.9 percent in the source (the same number as the 18 to 24 age group). In order to correct this, the percentages from the total population (52.2 percent) and male population (49.0 percent) in this age bracket were used to calculate a figure for female voter turnout in 2004 (55.4 percent). The calculation assumes that the ratio of men to women in the U.S. was exactly 1:1; therefore these values should be seen as indicative and not completely accurate.
The figure for the 65+ age group in 1968 was mistakenly reported as 73.3 percent (the same number as the45-64 age group). In order to correct this, the percentages from the total population (65.8 percent) and male population (73.1 percent) in this age bracket were used to calculate a figure for female voter turnout in 1968 (58.5). The calculation assumes that the ratio of men to women in the U.S. was exactly 1:1; therefore these values should be seen as indicative and not completely accurate.

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