Fact Check: 26% of eligible Americans have not voted in the last three national elections.

Fact Check: "26% of eligible Americans have not voted in the last three national elections."

What We Know

The claim that "26% of eligible Americans have not voted in the last three national elections" requires a nuanced understanding of voter turnout statistics. According to the American Presidency Project, voter turnout is typically measured as a ratio of votes cast to various populations, including the Voting Age Population (VAP) and the Voting Eligible Population (VEP).

In the 2024 presidential election, it was reported that approximately 65.3% of the voting-eligible population voted, which implies that about 34.7% did not vote in that election alone (Census Bureau). This figure aligns with estimates from the University of Florida Election Lab, which noted that turnout in 2024 was 63.9% of eligible voters, indicating that a significant portion of the eligible population did not participate.

To assess participation over the last three national elections (2016, 2020, and 2024), we can look at the turnout rates for these years. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 2016, about 60.2% of eligible voters participated, and in 2020, the turnout was approximately 66.8% (Census Bureau). This suggests that across these three elections, the percentage of eligible Americans who did not vote fluctuated but remained significant.

Analysis

The claim of 26% not voting in the last three elections appears to be an oversimplification. While it is true that a substantial percentage of eligible voters did not vote in each of the last three elections, the specific figure of 26% does not accurately reflect the cumulative non-participation across all three elections.

For instance, if we consider the turnout rates:

2016: 60.2% voted, meaning 39.8% did not.
2020: 66.8% voted, meaning 33.2% did not.
2024: 65.3% voted, meaning 34.7% did not.

When averaged, the non-voting percentages across these elections are higher than 26%. The average non-voting rate over these three elections is approximately 35.9%, which indicates that the claim underestimates the actual non-participation rate (Census Bureau).

Moreover, the sources used to derive these statistics are credible, such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Presidency Project, which are recognized for their rigorous methodologies in collecting and reporting voting data. However, it is essential to note that the interpretation of these statistics can vary based on how one defines "eligible Americans" and the specific elections considered.

Conclusion

The claim that "26% of eligible Americans have not voted in the last three national elections" is Partially True. While it is accurate that a significant portion of eligible voters did not participate in these elections, the specific figure of 26% does not adequately represent the reality of voter turnout. The actual non-participation rate is higher when considering the turnout data from 2016, 2020, and 2024.

Fact Check: 26% of eligible Americans have not voted in the last three national elections.