As of the 2024 presidential election, 73.6% of the U.S. citizen voting-age population – or about 174 million Americans – were registered to vote, according to the U.S. Census Bureauโs Current Population Survey (CPS).
That marks one of the highest registration rates in two decades and reflects steady growth in civic participation since the mid-1990s.
Out of those registered, 154 million people (65.3%) actually voted in November 2024. The difference between these two figures, roughly 20 million people, represents eligible citizens who registered but didnโt turn out.
By late-mid-2025, it is estimated that 189.5 million Americans will be registered to vote, meaning that nearly 8 in 10 adults aged 18 and older are now listed on state voter rolls.
Key Takeaways
- 73.6% of Americans were registered to vote in 2024 – the highest since 2008.
- By mid-2025, 189.5 million Americans were registered, equal to ~79% of the adult population.
- Registration rates vary widely, from Minnesota (84%) to Arkansas (65%).
- Independent voters (29%) now rival Democrats and Republicans combined in some regions.
- Education and age remain decisive factors in registration and turnout.
- Mail voting now accounts for nearly one-third of all ballots cast.
Historical View: Voter Registration Growth Since 1996
The U.S. voting system has expanded dramatically in accessibility and registration over the last 30 years, driven by automatic voter registration, same-day registration, and online platforms.
The Census Bureauโs historical data illustrate this trend clearly:
Over the past three decades, the United States has added more than 46 million registered voters, representing a 36% increase according to Statista. Growth has been strongest in large and fast-growing states like Texas, Florida, and California.
Voter Registration by Age
Younger Americans continue to lag behind older generations when it comes to registration. According to Census Bureau data from the November 2024 survey:
Number of Voters and Voter Registration as a Share of the Voter Population in Each State
| Location | Number of Registered Voters (in thousands) | Registered Voters as a Share of the Voter Population | Number of Individuals Who Voted (in thousands) | Individuals Who Voted as a Share of the Voter Population |
| United States | 173,854 | 0.736 | 154,308 | 0.653 |
| Alabama | 2,605 | 0.689 | 2,219 | 0.587 |
| Alaska | 408 | 0.783 | 324 | 0.621 |
| Arizona | 3,578 | 0.690 | 3,201 | 0.617 |
| Arkansas | 1,472 | 0.647 | 1,200 | 0.528 |
| California | 18,471 | 0.729 | 16,385 | 0.647 |
| Colorado | 3,158 | 0.738 | 2,997 | 0.701 |
| Connecticut | 1,882 | 0.722 | 1,729 | 0.663 |
| Delaware | 577 | 0.774 | 521 | 0.698 |
| District of Columbia | 432 | 0.851 | 404 | 0.795 |
| Florida | 10,788 | 0.670 | 9,703 | 0.603 |
| Georgia | 5,401 | 0.708 | 4,908 | 0.644 |
| Hawaii | 679 | 0.676 | 587 | 0.585 |
| Idaho | 1,017 | 0.712 | 932 | 0.652 |
| Illinois | 6,780 | 0.768 | 5,817 | 0.659 |
| Indiana | 3,536 | 0.737 | 2,912 | 0.607 |
| Iowa | 1,861 | 0.806 | 1,658 | 0.718 |
| Kansas | 1,628 | 0.798 | 1,443 | 0.707 |
| Kentucky | 2,558 | 0.805 | 2,152 | 0.677 |
| Louisiana | 2,160 | 0.660 | 1,897 | 0.580 |
| Maine | 831 | 0.740 | 753 | 0.671 |
| Maryland | 3,497 | 0.804 | 3,091 | 0.711 |
| Massachusetts | 3,728 | 0.754 | 3,408 | 0.689 |
| Michigan | 6,090 | 0.808 | 5,444 | 0.723 |
| Minnesota | 3,519 | 0.836 | 3,193 | 0.759 |
| Mississippi | 1,751 | 0.810 | 1,490 | 0.689 |
| Missouri | 3,707 | 0.795 | 3,240 | 0.695 |
| Montana | 651 | 0.738 | 610 | 0.692 |
| Nebraska | 1,016 | 0.738 | 928 | 0.674 |
| Nevada | 1,640 | 0.735 | 1,493 | 0.669 |
| New Hampshire | 856 | 0.781 | 788 | 0.719 |
| New Jersey | 5,175 | 0.819 | 4,581 | 0.725 |
| New Mexico | 1,135 | 0.761 | 984 | 0.660 |
| New York | 9,051 | 0.662 | 8,091 | 0.592 |
| North Carolina | 5,374 | 0.698 | 4,971 | 0.646 |
| North Dakota | 442 | 0.786 | 401 | 0.712 |
| Ohio | 6,593 | 0.751 | 5,922 | 0.674 |
| Oklahoma | 2,062 | 0.705 | 1,747 | 0.597 |
| Oregon | 2,604 | 0.830 | 2,362 | 0.753 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,413 | 0.757 | 6,828 | 0.697 |
| Rhode Island | 645 | 0.795 | 568 | 0.700 |
| South Carolina | 2,935 | 0.733 | 2,510 | 0.627 |
| South Dakota | 473 | 0.707 | 394 | 0.589 |
| Tennessee | 3,980 | 0.751 | 3,433 | 0.648 |
| Texas | 13,641 | 0.691 | 11,442 | 0.579 |
| Utah | 1,736 | 0.747 | 1,555 | 0.669 |
| Vermont | 401 | 0.772 | 373 | 0.717 |
| Virginia | 4,981 | 0.796 | 4,565 | 0.729 |
| Washington | 4,250 | 0.771 | 3,863 | 0.700 |
| West Virginia | 1,001 | 0.738 | 807 | 0.595 |
| Wisconsin | 3,380 | 0.763 | 3,201 | 0.722 |
| Wyoming | 307 | 0.693 | 283 | 0.638 |
Nearly 3 in 4 Americans Are Registered
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In November 2024, 73.6% of eligible Americans, or roughly 174 million people, were registered to vote. Out of that group, 65.3% actually voted, totaling 154 million ballots cast.
This marks a strong showing compared with previous decades and confirms that voter participation remains at one of its highest levels since the 1960s. For reference, voter registration hovered around 70% in the late 1990s, dipped slightly in the early 2000s, and has since climbed thanks to online registration tools and โmotor voterโ laws.
The U.S. continues to see an upward curve in engagement. According to the U.S. Census Bureauโs April 2025 release, registration and turnout in 2024 were both higher than in 2012 and 2016, showing that Americans are increasingly active in national elections even during politically divisive times.
The Participation Divide
The 2024 data also highlights a clear split between traditionally Republican (โredโ) and Democratic (โblueโ) states when it comes to registration and turnout. The divide is not purely ideological โ it reflects policy and infrastructure differences.
In blue states, such as Minnesota (83.6%), Oregon (83.0%), New Jersey (81.9%), and Michigan (80.8%), registration systems are streamlined through automatic registration, mail voting, and same-day registration laws. These policies have led to both higher registration and stronger turnout, often exceeding 70% participation among eligible voters.
By contrast, several red states, notably Arkansas (64.7%), Texas (69.1%), Louisiana (66.0%), and Alabama (68.9%), rank among the lowest in registration share. Many of these states still rely on manual registration processes and early cutoff dates, which limit last-minute participation.
However, there are exceptions on both sides. Mississippi (81.0%), despite its Republican alignment, recorded one of the highest registration shares nationwide. Similarly, New York (66.2%), a deep-blue state, reported lower registration due to outdated list maintenance rules and high population turnover.
Top-Performing States
States like Minnesota (83.6%), Oregon (83.0%), New Jersey (81.9%), and Michigan (80.8%) have among the highest registration shares. Their strong performance is linked to same-day registration, automatic registration, and accessible mail-in voting.
- Minnesota leads the nation with an 83.6% registration rate and a turnout of nearly 76%.
- Oregon, one of the pioneers of all-mail voting, sees a registration rate above 83% with 75% turnout.
- New Jersey and Maryland both surpass 80% registration, supported by automatic registration through the DMV and expanded early voting access.
In these states, voter registration systems are integrated into everyday interactions, renewing a driverโs license, applying for state services, or even updating tax records. That administrative ease helps explain why participation remains consistently high.
States With the Lowest Registration
At the other end of the spectrum, Arkansas (64.7%), Hawaii (67.6%), and Texas (69.1%) have the lowest registration rates in the country.
The gap between top and bottom states is stark, almost 20 percentage points, and often reflects differences in registration laws rather than voter interest.
- Arkansas lacks automatic registration and has tighter registration deadlines (30 days before an election).
- Texas, with its large and diverse population, faces administrative hurdles and limited outreach in certain rural areas.
- Hawaiiโs low numbers are often attributed to high mobility among residents and complex mail registration systems.
These factors suggest that ease of access is the strongest predictor of whether citizens appear on voter rolls.
Voter Turnout vs. Registration
While registration rates averaged 73.6% nationwide, the turnout rate (65.3%) indicates that about one in ten registered voters did not cast a ballot.
This gap, roughly 20 million people, underscores a persistent challenge: getting registered voters to actually participate.
High registration doesnโt automatically translate into high turnout. For instance:
- California had a strong registration rate of 72.9%, but only 64.7% voted.
- Florida, despite its large voter pool, saw just 60.3% turnout.
- In contrast, Minnesota converted most of its registrants into active voters – 75.9% turnout – demonstrating the power of civic culture and convenience voting.
Minor Parties and Unaffiliated Voters
While Republicans and Democrats dominate, 3.1 million Americans (2.6%) are registered under smaller parties such as the Libertarian and Green parties. States like Kentucky (6%), Delaware, and Alaska have the most active third-party communities, as noted by Paw Research Center.
Delaware even lists unconventional parties such as the โMandalorian Party.โ
Independents are a growing demographic: Massachusetts (64.8%), Alaska (62.1%), and Rhode Island (49.7%) have the highest rates of non-affiliated voters, suggesting an electorate increasingly skeptical of traditional party labels.
How Americans Voted in 2024
Voting methods have diversified rapidly:
Methodology
All figures in this article are based on publicly released data from the U.S. Census Bureauโs Current Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Registration Supplement and the KFF State Health Facts database for November 2024.
National percentages represent the citizen voting-age population (CVAP) – that is, U.S. citizens aged 18 and older who are eligible to register. State totals and rates were drawn directly from the CPS and KFF tables, which list both registration and turnout as shares of this population.
Historical comparisons (1996โ2024) use Census time-series data to show long-term trends in registration growth. Figures were rounded for clarity; minor differences reflect standard survey weighting and rounding adjustments.
