Studies: Who Didn't Vote in 2004 Presidential Race

[JPZenger]

Here's some highlights of studies about what groups of people were least likely to vote in the Presidential Election in 2004.

Summary:
http://www.circlevoting.com/CPS%20Voting%202004.pdf

Census report on the issue:
http://www.circlevoting.com/CPS%20Voting%202004.pdf

Excerpts:

"One week before the 2004 election, 81% said that they would "definitely vote", 26% more than actually voted.

40% of those eligible did not vote in 2004; 32% did not vote in Ohio - a "must win" state.

Less than half of people 18-25 voted.

Even among the highest turnout groups, with the highest income and education 1 in 7 did not vote.

The October 2006, the Pew Center found that only 35% could be classified as regular voters in mid-term and presidential elections. Others are more intermittent or rare. It is these occasional voters that usually determine the winner in elections.

As election day approaches, the media story is usually about the undecided's. They certainly matter. But often the bigger story is about the occasional, less interested voters. There are so many of them that small changes in motivation can make the difference in who wins. "