Unexpected! This is the Group That Actually Determines US Elections

Older voter groups are far more active in exercising their right to vote in United States elections compared to younger generations. This disparity was clearly evident during the 2022 US midterm elections, held mid-presidential term. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that voter participation rates increase with age.

The 65-74 age group recorded the highest participation at 6t8%. Conversely, young voters aged 18-24 recorded only 27.6%, the lowest among the age groups. This difference means that the voters who actually turn up to polling stations in US elections tend to be predominantly from older age groups. In other words, the votes of the older generation carry much greater weight in terms of participation compared to young voters.

The 45-64 Age Group is the Largest Voter Segment

In the midterm elections, the 45-64 age group contributed the largest portion of total voters in 2022, at 35.8%. Following this, the 25-44 age group contributed 27.7% of total voters. Meanwhile, the 65-74 age group accounted for 18.4%, followed by those aged 75 and above at 12.1%. The 18-24 age group was the smallest, making up only 6.1% of all voters. Looking at the composition, US voters in 2022 were indeed predominantly from middle-aged to older groups.

Highest Participation Found in the 65-74 Age Group

Although the 45-64 age group was the largest contributor to the voter count, the highest participation rate actually came from the 65-74 age group. Specifically, 68% of eligible voters in this age group were recorded as casting their votes in the 2022 midterm elections. The figure was slightly lower for the 75 and older group at 65.2%, while the participation rate for the 45-64 age group reached 58.3%.

On the other hand, participation dropped sharply among younger groups. The participation rate for voters aged 25-44 was recorded at 44.3%, while the 18-24 age group was only 27.6%. This difference indicates that the older the age group, the higher the tendency to use their right to vote, at least during the 2022 US midterm elections.

Voters at Polling Stations Tend to be Older

The difference in participation rates causes the composition of voters who actually turn up to vote to differ from the composition of the eligible voting population. Quoting the U.S. Census Bureau, citizens under the age of 45 accounted for 44.2% of the eligible voting population in 2022. However, this group only contributed 33.8% of the total voters. Conversely, citizens aged 45 and above accounted for 55.8% of the eligible voting population, but their proportion rose to 66.3% among those who actually cast their votes. This means that older age groups have greater weight in the voter composition compared to their proportion in the eligible voting population.

Gen Z is More Active Than Previous Generations

Although the participation rate of the young age group remains the lowest, Gen Z shows a higher level of engagement compared to previous generations when they were at the same age. The 2022 midterm election was the first election where Gen Z fully occupied the 18-24 age group. Based on data from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), the participation rate of Gen Z in this age group reached 28.4%. This figure is higher than that of Millennials, who recorded 23% in the 2006 midterm elections, and Gen X, which was 23.5% in 1990. The low participation of young voters is not unique to Gen Z; however, when compared to previous generations at the same age stage, Gen Z is actually recorded as being more active in exercising their right to vote.