Who votes? (News Skills).

The graph at right shows the percentages of U.S. citizens who registered to vote and those who actually voted in four national elections in the U.S., from 1970 to 2000. Study the graph and answer the questions.

1. What percent of people in the U.S. registered to vote in 1980? _____

2. What percent of people actually voted in 1980? _____

3. In which year was U.S. voter registration the highest? _____

4. In which year was the percent of people who actually voted the lowest? _____

5. In 2000, both the percent of people who registered to vote and those who actually voted increased. Why might this have happened? _____

ANSWERS

1. 66.9 percent

2. 59.3 percent

3. 1970

4. 1990

5. 2000 was a presidential election year and more people vote in these important races.

U. S. Voters

1970-2000

                                  Percent of the U.S.
                                   Population 18 and
                                         Older

Years                            Registered (%)  Voted (%)

1970      midterm election            68.1         54.6
1980      presidential election       66.9         59.3
1990      midterm election            62.2         45.0
2000      presidential election       63.9         54.7

Note: Table made from bar graph.