Everyone spent months talking about the "landslide" or the "historic turnout," but if you look at the raw numbers, the biggest winner in the 2024 election wasn't actually on the ballot. It was the couch. Or the office. Or the grocery store line where people were just too tired to care.
When we ask how many people didn't vote in 2024, we aren't just talking about a few stragglers. We are talking about roughly 86 million eligible Americans who decided to sit this one out. That is a massive chunk of the population. To put it in perspective, that’s more people than voted for Donald Trump (about 77 million) or Kamala Harris (about 75 million).
Basically, "Did Not Vote" won the election.
The Numbers Nobody is Bragging About
The U.S. Census Bureau and Pew Research Center finally dropped the official breakdown, and it's kinda fascinating. While the 2020 election saw a record-breaking 66.6% turnout, 2024 dipped back down to around 64%. It’s still high by historical standards—tied for the second-highest since the 1960s—but the momentum definitely slowed.
Why does a 2% drop matter? Because in a country this big, 2% represents millions of human beings. Specifically, about 154 million people cast a ballot, leaving over a third of the voting-age population effectively silent.
Honestly, the "non-voter" is a demographic that politicians are terrified of because they're so unpredictable. In 2024, these folks weren't just "apathetic." They were divided. Pew found that if the non-voters had showed up, they would have split almost down the middle: 44% said they’d have gone for Trump, and 40% for Harris.
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In 2020, non-voters leaned heavily toward Biden. That shift in the "stay-at-home" crowd is one of the main reasons the maps looked so different this time around.
Who Stayed Home?
It’s easy to picture a non-voter as someone who just doesn't care, but the data shows it's usually more about life getting in the way.
Young people, as usual, were the biggest group of "no-shows." Only about half of citizens aged 18 to 24 bothered to vote. Compare that to the 65+ crowd, where nearly 75% turned out. If you're wondering why politicians talk about Social Security more than student loans, there’s your answer.
The Demographic Breakdown of Non-Voters:
- Education Gap: Almost half of the people who didn't vote had a high school diploma or less. Among those with advanced degrees, turnout was over 82%.
- Income Stress: People making under $50,000 a year were way more likely to skip the polls than those making six figures.
- The "Independent" Wall: Non-voters are nine times more likely to refuse to identify with any political party compared to people who actually vote.
Why People Actually Skipped the 2024 Election
The reasons people give for not voting are often way more practical than "I hate politics."
According to USAFacts and Census data, the number one reason was simply being too busy. About 18% of non-voters cited a conflicting work or school schedule. If you’re working two jobs and the polls close at 7:00 PM, voting isn't a "civic duty"—it’s a luxury.
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Another 20% said they just weren't interested. They didn't think their vote would change their day-to-day life. Then you have the 15% who straight up didn't like the candidates. This "double hater" group was huge in 2024. Many people felt like they were being asked to choose between two options they couldn't stand, so they chose "none of the above."
The "Information Gap" is Real
One of the most tragic stats from the 2024 cycle came out of a Tufts University study. It found that about 1 in 3 young non-voters felt they didn't have enough information to vote.
They weren't sure how to register. They didn't know where their polling place was. They felt like they didn't understand the issues well enough to make a "correct" choice. For a generation that grew up with the internet in their pockets, the fact that they felt uninformed is a massive failure of the system.
Is Low Turnout the New Normal?
Not necessarily. While 2024 was lower than 2020, it was still way higher than 2016 or 2012. We are in an era of high-intensity politics.
But there’s a clear divide. The people who vote are older, wealthier, and more likely to be white. The people who don't vote—the 86 million—are younger, more diverse, and often struggling financially.
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When we look at how many people didn't vote in 2024, we’re looking at the "invisible" America. These are the people whose needs aren't being met by the current platforms of either party. Until a candidate figures out how to make a Tuesday in November more important than a shift at work, that 86 million number is going to stay stubbornly high.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you want to be part of the group that actually shows up next time, or if you're trying to help others do it, here’s the move:
1. Check Your Registration Early. Don't wait until October. Use sites like Vote.org to verify you’re actually on the rolls.
2. Learn the Mail-In Rules. In 2024, mail-in voting dropped to 29% from 43% in 2020. It's often the easiest way to vote if you have a busy job, but the deadlines are strict.
3. Ignore the Noise. Much of the "lack of interest" comes from being exhausted by social media arguments. Look at non-partisan ballot guides like Ballotpedia to see what's actually happening in your local community.
4. Local Matters More. While everyone obsesses over the President, your local school board and city council have a much bigger impact on your taxes and daily life. Start there if the national stage feels too toxic.
The 2024 election proved that while millions are engaged, millions more feel left behind. Reducing the number of non-voters isn't just about "getting out the vote"—it's about making the vote feel worth the effort.