Record-Breaking Voter Turnout Observed in 2024 US General Election

As the 2024 US general election unfolds, early indicators suggest that the country may be on the verge of setting a new record for voter turnout. According to data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab, more than 85.9 million Americans had cast their ballots before November 5, 2024. This figure includes significant early voting numbers from key swing states such as Georgia and North Carolina, both of which have set new early voting records.

In Washington state, voter turnout has been robust, with over 2.8 million people out of more than 5 million registered voters having cast their ballots as of November 4, 2024. This translates to a voter turnout rate of 56.67%. King County, one of the state’s most populous areas, reported a turnout of 57.78%, with over 800,000 residents casting their ballots out of 1,424,454 registered voters.

The high turnout in 2024 is partly attributed to the improvements made in early and absentee voting access during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes have likely contributed to the increased participation seen this year. The 2020 presidential election, which set a record at the time with over 158 million voters (67% of eligible voters), serves as a benchmark for this year’s election.

In other states, similar trends are emerging. For instance, Nevada‘s voter turnout data, though not as comprehensive, shows active engagement in the early and election day voting processes. While the overall turnout percentages are still being tabulated, the early signs are encouraging and suggest a continued high level of voter engagement.

The final demographic breakdowns and comprehensive national picture will become clearer as counties finalize their voter history data. However, the current trends indicate a strong likelihood of another record-breaking year for voter turnout in the United States.