Turnout is defined as what, and how measured?

Prepare for your Honors Voting and Elections Exam. Study with practice questions and detailed explanations. Ace your test!

Turnout measures participation among those who could vote. It is the share of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot, and it is computed by dividing the number of votes cast by a chosen denominator. The denominator can vary: the eligible population (all citizens of voting age), the registered voters, or the voting-eligible population (which excludes ineligible groups like non-citizens or certain felons). Using the total population would mix in people who cannot vote, making the rate misleading. Measuring turnout as a share of registered voters focuses on those who have taken the step to register, but it omits eligible individuals who aren’t registered. The key idea is turnout is about participation among those who are eligible to vote, with different denominators reflecting different research or policy concerns.