The Indicators
The percentage of the voting-age population (18 and over) that actually voted in an election.
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.
In the 2020 presidential election, 64% of the region's eligible voters voted, up from 2016 (57%), the turnout rate in 2020 was 7 points higher. Columbia County had the highest rate of voter participation in the region (72% in 2020), followed by Putnam (70%). Sullivan and Orange counties had the lowest turnout in 2020 (59% and 61% respectively).
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 are only available in presidential years.
| 2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2010 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | 55% | 38% | 58% | 40% | 59% | 39% | 53% | 34% | 57% | 47% | 64% |
| Columbia County | 60% | 48% | 64% | 51% | 64% | 48% | 58% | 42% | 63% | 59% | 72% |
| Dutchess County | 53% | 36% | 56% | 38% | 59% | 38% | 53% | 33% | 56% | 47% | 63% |
| Greene County | 58% | 43% | 59% | 46% | 58% | 42% | 52% | 40% | 57% | 48% | 64% |
| Orange County | 53% | 35% | 56% | 35% | 57% | 37% | 51% | 33% | 56% | 43% | 61% |
| Putnam County | 61% | 40% | 63% | 44% | 63% | 43% | 57% | 36% | 62% | 49% | 70% |
| Sullivan County | 52% | 36% | 54% | 36% | 53% | 36% | 47% | 30% | 52% | 41% | 59% |
| Ulster County | 58% | 42% | 62% | 44% | 62% | 42% | 54% | 37% | 57% | 53% | 67% |
| NYS (excluding NYC) | 57% | 39% | 59% | 40% | 59% | 39% | 53% | 33% | 57% | 45% | 64% |
| U.S. | 50% | 56% | 57% | 54% | 55% | 62% | |||||
| 2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2010 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | 441,492 | 312,760 | 490,375 | 337,506 | 510,986 | 345,568 | 465,763 | 306,039 | 504,674 | 425,730 | 575,445 |
| Columbia County | 28,979 | 23,040 | 31,326 | 25,015 | 31,857 | 24,264 | 29,059 | 21,279 | 31,152 | 29,223 | 35,781 |
| Dutchess County | 112,614 | 77,348 | 124,520 | 85,539 | 133,619 | 88,378 | 123,424 | 77,738 | 132,234 | 113,253 | 151,889 |
| Greene County | 21,308 | 16,170 | 22,613 | 17,831 | 22,870 | 16,851 | 20,649 | 15,946 | 22,325 | 19,151 | 25,320 |
| Orange County | 127,970 | 88,121 | 145,718 | 92,974 | 153,649 | 100,047 | 140,625 | 91,147 | 156,666 | 122,484 | 173,843 |
| Putnam County | 42,814 | 28,961 | 46,729 | 32,349 | 47,465 | 32,749 | 44,248 | 28,042 | 48,865 | 38,513 | 55,320 |
| Sullivan County | 28,954 | 20,548 | 31,292 | 21,018 | 31,509 | 21,851 | 28,413 | 18,083 | 30,484 | 24,535 | 35,132 |
| Ulster County | 78,853 | 58,572 | 88,177 | 62,780 | 90,017 | 61,428 | 79,345 | 53,804 | 82,948 | 78,571 | 98,160 |
| NYS (excluding NYC) | 4,691,713 | 3,275,873 | 4,988,613 | 3,348,376 | 5,080,049 | 3,354,090 | 4,616,428 | 2,894,378 | 5,026,959 | 4,009,747 | 5,624,033 |
| U.S. | 105,405,100 | 122,295,345 | 131,257,328 | 129,067,662 | 136,669,237 | 158,383,403 | |||||
| INDICATORS | TREND | STATE |
|---|---|
| Average Charitable Giving | Increasing |
| Voter Registration Rate | Increasing |
| Voter Participation Rate | Increasing |
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