Voter turnout records not in jeopardy today
When U.S. Senate and congressional races top the ballot in an election year, voter turnout is generally far lower than during a presidential or gubernatorial year. In 2002, the last time the ballot was topped by Senate and congressional races, only 46 percent of registered voters in New Jersey turned out. In the 1950s and 1960s, the turnouts for such races averaged about 70 percent.
With control of Congress at stake in this year's election, turnout is likely to be higher than in 2002. But it will still be embarrassingly low. The all-time low voter turnout for a general election in New Jersey was in 1999, when the ballot was topped by state Assembly races. Only 31 percent of registered voters showed up at the polls. That figure is even more pathetic when you consider that 20 to 30 percent of eligible voters aren't even registered.
New Jersey's all-time high voter turnout? In the 1960 presidential contest between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Richard M. Nixon, a remarkable 91.1 percent of registered voters cast ballots.
Turnout for the presidential elections in 1964 and 1968 was in the high 80s.
With control of Congress at stake in this year's election, turnout is likely to be higher than in 2002. But it will still be embarrassingly low. The all-time low voter turnout for a general election in New Jersey was in 1999, when the ballot was topped by state Assembly races. Only 31 percent of registered voters showed up at the polls. That figure is even more pathetic when you consider that 20 to 30 percent of eligible voters aren't even registered.
New Jersey's all-time high voter turnout? In the 1960 presidential contest between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Richard M. Nixon, a remarkable 91.1 percent of registered voters cast ballots.
Turnout for the presidential elections in 1964 and 1968 was in the high 80s.
posted by Randy Bergmann at 12:16 PM
2 Comments:
Whenever I picture the typical non-voter, the image that comes to mind is of all those high school drop-outs that I see standing in line at the Exxon station each night waiting to buy $20 worth of lottery tickets (and who haven't got a dime saved for retirement).
Are these the types of people you want to actually show up at the polls, Mr. Bergmann? I sure don't.
If people don't want to vote, they shouldn't be encouraged to vote. By all means, encourage them to stay home watch whatever the WB Network is showing on television this evening. They can leave "that voting stuff" to me.
well you are quite wrong ,I used to vote but when my vote was overturned in a school election buy a elected judge ...well that told me something about New Jersey and the voting process.When they change the laws to make every vote really count ...my family will be the first in line at the polls.untill then our votes don't matter
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