Community Engagement
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
Children Living in Poverty Increasing
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Single-Parent Families Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect Decreasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions Decreasing
Teen Pregnancy Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate Increasing
Voter Participation Rate Decreasing
Total Population Increasing
Population by Age Not Applicable
Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Household Types Not Applicable
Change in Total Jobs Increasing
Foreign-Born Population Increasing
Employment by Sector Not Applicable
Spending for County Government Increasing
Tourism Revenue Increasing
Preschoolers Receiving Special Education Services Increasing
Prekindergarten Participation Decreasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services Increasing
Per-Student Spending Increasing
Student Performance on Grade 4 English, by Economic Background Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 4 English, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 4 Math, by Economic Background Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 4 Math, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
High School Cohort Graduation Rate Increasing
High School Cohort Dropout Rate Decreasing
High School GED Rate Decreasing
Education Levels of Adults Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Median Household Income Maintaining
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty Increasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Seniors Living in Poverty Maintaining
Veterans Living in Poverty Decreasing
Children Receiving Subsidized Child Care Decreasing
Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Price Lunch Increasing
Earned Income Tax Credit Participation Decreasing
People Without Health Insurance Decreasing
Deaths from Drug Overdoses Increasing
Early Prenatal Care, by Mother's Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Living Wage Rate by Household Type Not Applicable
Income in Relation to Poverty Level Not Applicable
Babies with Low Birth Weights Increasing
People Living wth HIV Increasing
Mental Health Clinic Visits Decreasing
Homeownership Rates Increasing
Homeless Persons Decreasing
Cost of Homeownership Maintaining
Cost of Renting Not Applicable
Violent Crimes Decreasing
Domestic Violence Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable


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