Voter Turnout Rates by Age in Presidential Elections, 1988 2012
Youth voter turnout rates also declined from 2008 to 2012, contrary to initial reports based on the national Election Day exit polls, which had shown the youth voter turnout rate holding steady. According to the Census Bureau report, the turnout rate among 18-to 24-year olds fell to 41.2% in 2012 from 48.5% in 2008. (Most of the post-election analysis of the youth vote focused on 18- to 29-year-olds and showed no change in voter turnout rates between 2008 and 2012; the Census Bureau report only provides an analysis for those ages 18 to 24 years.) The turnout rates of adults ages 65 and older rose—to 71.9% in 2012 from 70.3% in 2008, according to the Census Bureau report.
Figure 3  | Voter Turnout Rates by Age in Presidential Elections,  | 1988 2012  | (%)  | 7551  | 80  | 71.9  | 72.3  | 71.0  | 70.3  | 69 6  | 69.1  | 70  | 65 and older  | 60  | 48.6  | 48.5  | 46 8  | 50  | 18-24  | 41.2  | 39.9  | 36.1  | 35.6  | 40  | 30  | 1988  | 1992  | 1996  | 2000  | 2004  | 2008  | 2012  | Note: Data for those ages 25 to 64 not shown  | Source: Population For 1988 throug h 2008 Pew Hispanic Center U.S tabulations ofthe Current  | Source: Population Survey throug November Supplements Hispanic For 2012, U.S Census Bureau,  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 