Washington, DC Will Never Be the Same

[pseudohistorian]

I know, it's been nearly two weeks since the American election and I still haven't posted about my Election Day experience in Atlanta, but the least I can do is offer up some quick thoughts...

First off, thanks to everyone in the States who voted. :) Voter turnout was higher in the US than in Canada (which never happens), and I'm grateful to see

Comments

[seweccentric]

Our voter turnout was roughly the same as 2004... did Canada's turnout slip?

[pseudohistorian]

Yes, it did, to a record low of 59.1% (versus around 61% in the US), which is the first time we've dipped below 60% after a slight uptick in the 2006 election. Historically, our voter turnout has been above 70%, but it really only started declining in the 1990's (just in time for me to start voting...hmmm).

Of course, it also depends on how you define "turnout." The number of voters in the States went up by about five million, but since more people also registered this year, the percentage is said to be roughly equal to your last election. Since Canadians don't have to proactively register to vote, our absolute numbers will have a greater effect on the ultimate percentage.

[seweccentric]

that's so odd.. i was checking out voter turnout by country and was under the impression y'all were much higher than us! I just realized how old that table is :(