Who votes?

Until 1972, U.S. citizens younger than 21 could not vote. But that year, the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving the vote to all Americans 18 and older. The results, however, have been disappointing. The percentage of Americans ages 18-24 who vote is much lower than the percentage of Americans 25 and older who vote.

The graph compares the percentage of Americans ages 18-24 who voted in presidential election years with Americans 25 and older who voted. Study the graph, then answer the questions that follow.

U.S. Voter Turnout by Age

       25 and over   18 to 24
         turnout     turnout

1972      68%          52%
1976      66%          45%
1980      66%          43%
1984      67%          44%
1988      64%          39%
1992      67%          46%
1996      61%          36%
2000      64%          37%

Presidential Election Years

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS CURRENT
POPULATION SURVEY

Questions

1. The graph shows voter turnout in what kind of election year? --

2. Voter turnout for Americans 16-24 was highest in which year? --

3. What happened in that year that affected the turnout of young voters? --

4. What percentage of people, ages 18-24, voted in the highest turnout year? --

5. What percentage of people, 25 and older, voted in that year? --

6. How did voter turnout, ages 18-24, change between 1972 and 1980? --

7. Voter turnout, ages 18-24, decreased the most between which two election years? --

8. What happened to voter turnout for all ages between 1996 and 2000? --

9. Why do you think voter turnout is lower among people ages 18-24? --

10. What is the source of information for this graph? --

Answers

1. Presidential

2. 1972

3. The 26th Amendment was ratified.

4. 52 percent

5. 68 percent

6. It decreased each year.

7. 1992 and 1996

8. It increased.

9. Answers will vary.

10. U.S. Census Current Population Survey