Analyses of voter turnout and registration in U.S. national elections provide a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of laws and methods designed to facilitate full participation of voting-age citizens in the electoral process. In its recurring series, the Bureau publishes independent estimates of the ageeligible population, while its biennial surveys on voting and registration provide the nation's most reliable data on the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of those who vote and those who do not. Unfortunately, estimates of the voting-age population suffer from weaknesses associated with measuring the different component groups which make up the eligible population, while the Current Population Survey (CPS), like all household surveys, substantially overestimates voting and registration.

This report contains a set of three papers designed to illuminate different aspects of measuring voting behavior.

The Current Population Survey of Voting and Registration: Summary and History
by Jerry T. Jennings

This paper describes the history of the Current Population Survey voting supplements, the main source of data on characteristics of the U.S. electorate.

Front Cover, Table of Contents, Preface, The Current Population Survey of Voting and Registration: Summary and History [29.1 MB]

Estimating Voter Turnout in the Current Population Survey
by Jerry T. Jennings

This second paper provides detailed discussion of the nature and extent of error in estimates derived from the CPS voting surveys.

Estimating Voter Turnout in the Current Population Survey [2.6 MB]

Effects of Population Estimates on Voter Participation Rates
by Jeffrey Passel

This third paper addresses the development of independent estimates of the various segments of the population for whom voting rates are usually calculated.

Effects of Population Estimates on Voter Participation Rates [1.3 MB]

Detailed Tables

Table 1 - Resident Population of Voting Age for Regions and Divisions--Difference Between Postcensal Estimate and Intercensal Estimate: 1960 to 1968 [<1.0 MB]

Table 2 - Resident Population of Voting Age for States--Difference Between Postcensal Estimate and Intercensal Estimate: 1972 to 1980 [<1.0 MB]

Table 3 - Resident Population of Voting Age for States--Difference Between Short-Term Projection and Postcensal Estimate: 1972 to 1978 [<1.0 MB]

Table 4 - Resident Population of Voting Age for States--Difference Between Short-Term Projection and Intercensal Estimates: 1972 to 1980 [<1.0 MB]

Table 5-6 [<1.0 MB]

Table 5 - Resident Population of Voting Age for States--Difference Between Short-Term Projection and Postcensal Estimate: 1980 to 1986
Table 6 - Estimates of the Percent of the Age-Eligible Population Casting Votes for U.S. Representatives--Difference Between Estimates Based on Postcensal Population Estimates and Intercensal Population Estimates: 1962 to 1978

Table 7 - Population Eligible to Vote and Not Eligible to Vote, by State: 1980 Census [<1.0 MB]

Table 8 - Percent of Population Voting Based on Different Denominators from the 1980 Census, for States: 1980 Presidential Election [<1.0 MB]

Table 9 - Percent of Population Voting Based on Different Denominators, for States: 1980 Presidential Election [<1.0 MB]

Appendix A. Source and Accuracy of Estimates
Appendix B. Current Population Reports–Voting and Registration

Appendix A and B [<1.0 MB]

A Note on Language

Census statistics date back to 1790 and reflect the growth and change of the United States. Past census reports contain some terms that today’s readers may consider obsolete and inappropriate. As part of our goal to be open and transparent with the public, we are improving access to all Census Bureau original publications and statistics, which serve as a guide to the nation's history.