Voter Turnout 1948-2008

PERCENTAGE WITHIN STUDY YEAR
Table 6A.2
Source: The American National Election Studies
Link to the ASCII text version of this table  

QUESTION TEXT:

ALL YEARS 1952-1998 (exc.1962) AND 2002 VERSION 1, 2004 VERSION 1:
"In talking to people about the election we (1972 and later: often)
find that a lot of people weren't able to vote because they weren't
registered or they were sick or they just didn't have time. (1956-
1960: How about you, did you vote this time?) (1964-1970: How about
you, did you vote this time, or did something keep you from voting)
(1972-1976: How about you, did you vote in the elections this fall?)
(1978 and later: How about you, did you vote in the this November?)"
1962: "One of the things we need to know is whether or not people
really did get to vote this fall. In talking to people about the
election we find that a lot of people weren't able to vote because
they weren't registered or they were sick or something else came up at
the last minute. Do you remember for sure whether or not you voted in
the November election?"
1948: "In the election, about half the people voted and about half of
them didn't. Did you vote?"

2000, 2002 VERSION 2, 2004 VERSION 2, 2008 VERSION 1:
"In talking to people about elections, we often find that a lot
of people were not able to vote because they weren't registered,
they were sick, or they just didn't have time.
Which of the following statements best describes you:
One, I did not vote (in the election this November);
Two, I thought about voting this time - but didn't;
Three, I usually vote, but didn't this time; or
Four, I am sure I voted?"

2008 VERSION 2:
In asking people about elections, we often find that a lot
of people were not able to vote because they weren't registered,
they were sick, they didn't have time, or something else
happened to prevent them from voting.
And sometimes, people who usually vote or who planned to vote
forget that something unusual happened on Election Day one year
that prevented them from voting that time. So please think
carefully for a minute about the recent elections, and other
past elections in which you may have voted, and answer the
following questions about your voting behavior.
Which one of the following best describes what you did in the
elections that were held November 4th?
    1. Definitely did not vote in the elections
    2. Definitely voted in person at a polling place on election day
    3. Definitely voted in person at a polling place before election day
    4. Definitely voted by mailing a ballot to elections officials
         before the election
    5. Definitely voted in some other way
    6. Not completely sure whether you voted or not
IF R NOT SURE WHETHER VOTED IN THE ELECTIONS:
If you had to guess, would you say that you probably did vote
in the elections, or probably did not vote in the elections?

Graph of Response: