The 2014 Election: Voter Turnout

Turnout of the eligible voting population regardless of voter registration status.

The 2014 national voter turnout was 36.4%. This was the worst turnout in 72 Years. The 1942 Federal election turnout had a lower participation rate at 33.9%.

The 2014 turnout rate was substantially lower than 2010 (42%), 2006 (41%), and 2002 (39.5%).



In 43 States less than half of the eligible population voted.

No State broke the 60% voter turnout mark.

In the three largest States - CA, TX and NY- less than a third of the eligible population voted: New York - 28.8%; California – 31.8% and Texas – 28.5%. [None of these States had closely contested Statewide races]

The three States with mail-in only voting all did better than the national average: Colorado had the fourth-highest turnout (53%), Oregon had the fifth-highest (52%), and Washington was above the national average (41.6%).



Younger voters (ages 18-29) made up 13% of the 2014 electorate, compared with 19% in 2012.

In 2012, 60% of voters 18-29 years of age backed the Democratic candidate for the House and 38% backed the Republican candidate -- a gap of 22 points.

In the 2014 midterm, the percentage of 18-29 year olds for Democrats was 54% and for Republicans, 43% -- an 11 point difference.

Older voters (65 and older) made up 22% of the 2014 electorate, compared to 16% in 2012.

In 2012, 44% of voters 65 and older backed the Democratic candidate and 56% of voters backed the Republican candidate. In the 2014 midterms, the percentage for Democrats was 41% and for Republicans 57%.

Turnout is generally lower for youth in both Parties during midterms, but the drop off is much greater for Democrats.

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