Ever feel like the "electorate" is just this giant, faceless blob in the news? Honestly, it's way more personal than that. It’s your neighbor who just turned 18, your grandma who hasn't missed an election since 1964, and that one friend who always complains about politics but never actually registers.
So, let's talk numbers. Basically, when we ask how many people of voting age in us there are, we're looking at a moving target. As of early 2026, the best estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and organizations like USAFacts put the number of people 18 and older at roughly 262 million to 265 million.
But here’s the kicker: being "voting age" doesn't mean you're actually eligible to cast a ballot. It’s a huge distinction that people often miss.
The Gap Between "Voting Age" and "Eligible"
You've probably seen the term VAP (Voting Age Population). It's a simple metric: everyone in the country who is 18 or older. Simple, right? Well, not really. This group includes millions of people who can't actually vote—like green card holders, people here on work visas, and, in many states, individuals with certain felony convictions.
When we strip those groups away, we get the Citizen Voting-Age Population (CVAP). In the lead-up to the 2024 election, the Census Bureau pegged this number at about 240 million citizens.
- VAP (Voting Age Population): ~262 million
- CVAP (Citizen Voting-Age Population): ~240 million
- Registered Voters: ~189.5 million (as of late 2025)
There's a massive gap there. Like, 50 million people massive. Some of those folks are eligible but just haven't registered. Others are caught in the bureaucratic gears of residency requirements or state-specific ID laws. It's kinda wild when you think about it—nearly a quarter of the adults you see walking around aren't even on the voter rolls.
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How Many People of Voting Age in US Actually Voted?
Data from the 2024 presidential election—which we finally have the full post-game analysis for now in 2026—shows a fascinating trend. Even though the "voting age" population is growing, the percentage of people actually showing up dipped slightly compared to the historic 2020 highs.
In 2024, about 154 million people actually cast a ballot. That’s roughly 65.3% of the citizen voting-age population.
It’s actually the third-highest turnout we've seen in the last 35 years. Still, that means 1 in 3 eligible citizens stayed home. Why? According to the 2025 Current Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Registration Supplement, the reasons are pretty relatable. People were "too busy," "not interested," or "didn't like the candidates." It’s sort of the ultimate "it’s complicated" relationship with democracy.
The Age Divide is Real
If you want to know who is really running the show, look at the 65+ crowd. They are the MVPs of turnout. In the last big election cycle, 74.7% of citizens 65 and older voted. They show up.
On the flip side, the 18-to-24 demographic is... struggling. Less than half of them (about 47.7%) made it to the polls in 2024. It's a weird paradox. Young people are more vocal than ever on social media, but that energy doesn't always translate into a physical trip to a polling station or a mailed-in ballot.
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State-by-State: Where People Show Up (and Where They Don’t)
Geography is destiny when it comes to voting. If you live in Minnesota, you're part of a powerhouse. They consistently lead the pack with turnout rates often hitting above 75%. Oregon and Washington D.C. are right there with them.
Then you have states like Arkansas, where the turnout for the voting-age population was the lowest in the country at 52.8%. Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma aren't far behind in the "low participation" club.
Is it just a lack of interest? Not necessarily. Experts point to "voter friction"—how hard a state makes it to actually vote. Some states have automatic registration and mail-in ballots for everyone (looking at you, Colorado and Oregon). Others have stricter ID laws and shorter windows for early voting. It basically creates a map of "easy" vs. "difficult" democracy.
The 2026 Midterm Outlook
We are currently heading into the 2026 midterms. Historically, these see a massive drop-off. If 65% of the voting-age population shows up for a President, that number usually tanks to around 45% to 50% for a midterm.
Registration Realities in 2026
As of August 2025, there were approximately 189.5 million registered voters.
The breakdown is telling:
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- Democrats: ~44.1 million
- Republicans: ~37.4 million
- Independents/Other: ~34.3 million
Wait, that doesn't add up to 189 million? Correct. That’s because several states (like Illinois and Texas) don’t actually track voters by party registration, or they make it incredibly hard to get that data. Plus, states like North Dakota don’t even require registration. You just show up with an ID.
The biggest growth area? Independents. More people than ever are ditching the "Big Two" labels. Especially among the younger half of the voting-age population, there’s a real "a plague on both your houses" vibe.
Actionable Steps: Making Sure You Count
Knowing how many people of voting age in us there are is great for trivia, but it’s useless if you aren’t one of the people actually participating. If you want to move from a "VAP statistic" to an actual voter, here is what matters right now in 2026:
- Check your registration status every 6 months. States are "cleaning" their rolls more aggressively than ever. If you haven't voted in a couple of cycles, you might have been purged. Use Vote.gov to double-check.
- Understand your state’s "Friction Level." Do you need a specific photo ID? Can you vote by mail without an excuse? Don't wait until the week before an election to find out.
- Local elections are where the numbers are smallest (and your power is biggest). In many municipal elections, the "voting age population" that shows up is sometimes as low as 15%. In those races, a few dozen votes can literally change who runs your schools or sets your property taxes.
- Update your address immediately. If you moved recently, your old registration is essentially dead. Most states require you to update this at least 30 days before an election.
The numbers tell us the U.S. is a country of 265 million adults, but the decisions are made by the 150 million who actually show up. Which group are you in?