What does this measure?

The percentage of the voting-age population (18 and over) that actually voted in an election.

Why is this important?

Voting is a basic responsibility of all citizens and an indication of the citizenry's interest in and commitment to participating in our political process.

How is our region performing?

Voter turnout has been consistently higher in our region than in the state or nation. In the 2008 presidential election, 62% of our region's residents voted, compared to 51% in the state and 57% in the nation. In the 2006 gubernatorial election, 42% of residents in the region voted, while statewide turnout was lower at 32%. While voting in our region has ticked upward in presidential races, rising from 58% in 2000, it has remained consistent in gubernatorial races. Moreover, even in presidential elections only about 74% of those in the region who were registered to vote actually cast their ballots; in gubernatorial contests, that percentage declined to just over half of all registered voters.

Notes about the data

Voter turnout was calculated using votes cast in the top race on the ballot. Turnout was not reported in non-presidential, non-gubernatorial years since data were not readily available. Comparable national data were only available in presidential years.