You've probably heard the chatter. Some folks claim everyone stayed home, while others say it was a massive turnout. Honestly, the reality is somewhere in the middle. We just came off one of the most intense political seasons in recent memory, and everyone wants to know: did more people vote in 2024 than in the record-breaking year of 2020?
The short answer? No. But it’s not a simple "no."
According to finalized data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the University of Florida’s Election Lab, about 156.7 million Americans cast a ballot in 2024. If you compare that to the 158.4 million people who voted in 2020, you see a slight dip. We are talking about a decline of roughly 1.7 million voters. Even so, 2024 still holds the title for the second-highest voter turnout rate in over sixty years. Basically, Americans are still showing up in droves, even if we didn't quite hit the pandemic-era peak of 2020.
The Big Picture: Did More People Vote in 2024 or 2020?
When we look at the percentages, the "dip" becomes clearer. In 2020, we saw a staggering 66.6% turnout among the voting-eligible population. That was a historical anomaly, fueled by universal mail-in voting and a country stuck at home during COVID-19.
In 2024, the turnout rate landed at approximately 64.1%.
Wait. Let’s think about that for a second.
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Even with a decrease of about 2.5 percentage points, we still saw a turnout that tied with the legendary 1960 election between Kennedy and Nixon. If you feel like the world was obsessed with this election, you're right. The stakes felt massive. Partisan antipathy—basically, how much we dislike the "other side"—reached such a fever pitch that it dragged millions of people to the polls who normally wouldn't bother.
Where the Votes Came From (and Where They Didn't)
The geographic spread was wild. Usually, you expect turnout to drop across the board if the national average goes down. Not this time.
In the seven "Blue Wall" and "Sun Belt" battleground states, people actually turned out at a rate of roughly 70%. That’s nearly six points higher than the national average. If you lived in Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Wisconsin, your neighbors were definitely at the polls. Michigan actually saw its turnout increase by 1.2% compared to 2020. Pennsylvania also ticked up by about 1.1%.
On the flip side, states that weren't "in play" saw some significant drop-offs. California's turnout fell by over 6 percentage points. Arizona, despite being a swing state, saw a surprising 5% decrease in turnout compared to its 2020 highs. It seems that when the result feels like a foregone conclusion in your backyard, the motivation to stand in line starts to wane.
Who Actually Showed Up?
Demographics tell the real story of why the answer to did more people vote in 2024 is "not quite as many as last time."
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Older voters are still the undisputed champions of the voting booth. People aged 65 and older were the only age group that actually turned out at a higher rate than in 2020. About 74.7% of seniors cast a ballot. They have the time, they have the habit, and they clearly felt the 2024 issues—like inflation and healthcare—personally.
The youth vote, however, took a hit.
Among voters aged 18 to 24, less than half actually voted. We saw a rate of about 47.7%. That’s a significant drop-off from 2020. Why? A post-election poll from CIRCLE at Tufts University found that 24% of young non-voters simply didn't like the candidates. Another 31% said they were too busy or had work conflicts. It turns out that when you aren't excited about the options, a shift at work is a pretty easy excuse to skip the line.
The Great Migration of "Infrequent" Voters
One of the most fascinating shifts in 2024 wasn't just how many people voted, but who they were.
The Trump campaign spent months targeting "low-propensity" voters—people who maybe vote once every decade or have never voted at all. Pew Research Center found that voters who sat out in 2020 but showed up in 2024 actually favored Donald Trump by a margin of 54% to 42%.
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This is a massive shift.
Historically, high turnout or "new" voters usually helped Democrats. In 2024, that rulebook was shredded. Infrequent voters, particularly those without college degrees and those struggling with the cost of living, became a core part of the Republican coalition. They didn't vote in 2022. They didn't vote in 2020. But they came out in 2024.
Why the Numbers Dropped: Barriers and Burnout
If 2024 was so "consequential," why didn't we beat the 2020 record?
- The COVID Factor: In 2020, many states sent mail-in ballots to every single registered voter. It was never easier to vote. In 2024, many of those temporary pandemic rules were gone. Mail-in voting dropped from 43% in 2020 to about 29% in 2024. When you make it even slightly harder to vote, some people just won't do it.
- Double Haters: A significant portion of the electorate reported they weren't happy with either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. When you feel like you're choosing the "lesser of two evils," staying home starts to look like a valid political statement.
- Information Overload: It sounds weird, but some people felt too overwhelmed. 14% of young non-voters said they didn't feel they had enough information to make a choice. With the rise of AI-generated content and social media misinformation, some folks just checked out.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
Understanding these numbers isn't just for political junkies. It impacts how policies are made and how your community is represented. If you want to ensure your voice is actually heard in the next cycle, here are the real-world steps you can take:
- Check Your Registration Status Early: Don't wait until October. Many states have purged voter rolls or changed ID requirements. Use tools like Vote.org to verify your status now.
- Track Your Mail-in Ballot: If you live in a state that allows mail-in voting, most have "Track My Ballot" features. Use them. It eliminates the anxiety of wondering if your vote was actually counted.
- Volunteer for Local Elections: Presidential years get all the glory, but local school boards and city councils are often decided by a handful of votes. These are the people who decide your property taxes and what your kids learn in school.
- Be a "Voter Captain": Statistics show people are more likely to vote if a friend asks them to. You don't need to be a political activist; just remind three friends to register.
The 2024 election proved that while we didn't break the all-time record, the "high turnout era" is here to stay. Whether you're part of the 64.1% who showed up or the group that stayed home, these numbers are the foundation of how the country will be governed for the next four years.