Community
Voter Participation Rate

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Voter Participation Rate

What does this measure?

The percentage of the voting-age population (18 and over) that actually voted in an election.

Why is this important?

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.

How is the region performing?

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).

In 2022, 47% of the region's eligible voters voted; the turnout rate was 17 percentage points less than the 2020 presidential election year. Columbia County had the highest rate of voter participation in the region (58%), followed by Putnam (53%). Sullivan and Orange counties had the lowest turnout in 2022 (40% and 41% respectively).

Notes about the data

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.

Voter Participation Rate
200020022004200620082010201220142016201820202022
Region55%38%58%40%59%39%53%34%57%47%64%47%
Columbia60%48%64%51%64%48%58%42%63%59%72%58%
Dutchess53%36%56%38%59%38%53%33%56%47%63%47%
Greene58%43%59%46%58%42%52%40%57%48%64%50%
Orange53%35%56%35%57%37%51%33%56%43%61%41%
Putnam61%40%63%44%63%43%57%36%62%49%70%53%
Sullivan52%36%54%36%53%36%47%30%52%41%59%40%
Ulster58%42%62%44%62%42%54%37%57%53%67%52%
NYS (excluding NYC)57%39%59%40%59%39%53%33%57%45%64%46%
U.S.50%56%57%54%55%62%

Source: Federal Elections Commission, New York State Board of Elections
Notes: Rates were calculated using Census estimates of the population 18 and over. National data only available for presidential years.




Number of People who Voted
200020022004200620082010201220142016201820202022
Region441,492312,760490,375337,506510,986345,568465,763306,039504,674425,730575,445436,307
Columbia28,97923,04031,32625,01531,85724,26429,05921,27931,15229,22335,78129,931
Dutchess112,61477,348124,52085,539133,61988,378123,42477,738132,234113,253151,889115,726
Greene21,30816,17022,61317,83122,87016,85120,64915,94622,32519,15125,32020,367
Orange127,97088,121145,71892,974153,649100,047140,62591,147156,666122,484173,843124,875
Putnam42,81428,96146,72932,34947,46532,74944,24828,04248,86538,51355,32041,679
Sullivan28,95420,54831,29221,01831,50921,85128,41318,08330,48424,53535,13225,005
Ulster78,85358,57288,17762,78090,01761,42879,34553,80482,94878,57198,16078,724
NYS (excluding NYC)4,691,7133,275,8734,988,6133,348,3765,080,0493,354,0904,616,4282,894,3785,026,9594,009,7475,624,0334,142,121
U.S.105,405,100122,295,345131,257,328129,067,662136,669,237158,383,403

Source: Federal Elections Commission, New York State Board of Elections
Notes: National data only available for presidential years.




INDICATORS TREND | STATE


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