Voter turnout in United States presidential elections

Voter turnout in US elections is measured as a percentage, calculated by dividing the total number of votes cast by the voting age population (VAP), or more recently, the voting eligible population (VEP). Voter turnout has varied over time, between states, and between demographic groups. In the United States, turnout is higher for presidential elections than for midterm elections. US turnout is generally lower than that in other advanced democracies. The historical trends in voter turnout in the United States presidential elections have been shaped by

the gradual expansion of voting rights from the initial restriction to white male property owners aged 21 or older in the early years of the country's independence to all citizens aged 18 or older in the mid-20th century; policies that have made it easier or harder for eligible people to register and vote; the competitiveness of elections; and the mobilization efforts of parties, candidates and other organizations. The composition of voter turnout has also changed with increased use of early voting and mail voting. Approximately 161 million people were registered to vote in the 2020 presidential election and 158,427,986 ballots were submitted (96 % of registered voters).