I remember how excited I was to vote in a presidential election for the first time. I had strong political opinions ever since I was in middle school, but not all cities have politically informed youngsters or adults, for that matter, who are interested in public policy.
In a presidential election year, the American population naturally talks more about politics than in non-election years. But, even in the off-years, certain states are really stepping up their political game. Some locations really emphasize civic education in schools and make voter registration easy. It’s a different story in other states, where voter engagement and turnout is low.
A recent study looked at various factors, like the percentage of registered voters in the past presidential election and how accessible voting is, to figure out which states are the most and least politically engaged. Take a peek at which states are leading the charge in political engagement across the country and which ones could use a little more motivation.
Most: Maryland
Did you know nearly two-thirds of 18-year-olds in Maryland are registered to vote? It’s mostly thanks to great policies and education efforts to get young people involved. But that’s not the only big news. Maryland was just ranked as the most politically engaged state in 2024!
So, what’s the secret? The Old Line State makes voting super easy with early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, online registration, and even same-day registration. With the best civic education and voter accessibility in the country, it’s no wonder Maryland is leading the way in political engagement. Pretty impressive, right?
Most: Virginia
Virginia comes in as the second, and it’s easy to see what keeps Virginians engaged and showing up at the polls regularly. With a history that includes four of the first five U.S. presidents, the Old Dominion has high voter registration and strong turnout, especially in recent elections.
Virginia’s strict voting laws, diverse population, and active political contributions all contribute to its strong political landscape. Its highly educated residents also tend to be more involved in politics.
Most: New Jersey
With the highest voter turnout in the past presidential election, New Jersey had 1.5 times more voters than Arkansas, where turnout was the lowest. It’s clear that New Jerseyans take voting seriously!
The Garden State’s well-educated population reflects a strong link between education and political engagement. But they don’t just show up at the polls—many also volunteer or donate to political campaigns.
Most: Oregon
With its Motor Voter law and widespread mail-in ballots, Oregon has taken great strides to make voting easy. These efforts have set the standard for many other states, ensuring Oregonians can easily participate in elections.
In fact, the Beaver State had the highest voter turnout in the 2022 midterm elections, 1.8 times higher than West Virginia, which had the lowest. This impressive engagement ranks Oregon as the nation’s fourth most politically active state.
Most: Washington
This Pacific Northwest state ranks among the most politically engaged areas in the U.S. Residents get registered when they interact with any state agency that only requires proof of U.S. citizenship with automatic voter registration.
Washington consistently shows strong voter turnout. In the 2022 midterm elections, around 3.92 million people voted, representing about 59.7% of the 5.51 million eligible voters in the state. It’s clear that Washingtonians are dedicated to making their voices heard!
Least: Arkansas
Arkansas has some challenges ahead when it comes to political engagement, ranking at the bottom for active voting. With a voter turnout rate of just 54%, it falls far below the national average of 66.8%. Over the past two generations, these numbers have declined, especially among men, younger residents, and those with lower educational levels.
A lack of emphasis on civic education in schools and communities is also a big problem. This gap can leave residents without a solid understanding of the political process, making it harder for them to get involved.
Least: Alabama
Voting activity in Alabama lags behind other states. The state typically sees low turnout rates, often ranking near the bottom in the South, which has some of the lowest numbers in the country. During the 2022 midterm elections, just over a third of eligible voters cast their ballots.
What’s behind this trend? Alabama has a deep history of making it hard for citizens to access the ballot box. Experts also say noncompetitive elections that breed apathy, along with restrictive voter laws that limit participation in the democratic process, are to blame.
Least: West Virginia
Many believe that passing the Freedom to Vote Act could have helped thousands of West Virginians gain better access to voter registration and the ballot box for the 2024 election. Unfortunately, West Virginia consistently ranks among the states with the lowest voter turnout. In 2022, only 38.4% of eligible voters cast their ballots.
Things aren’t improving. In the May 2024 primary, just over 30% of registered voters participated. West Virginians cite reasons like busy schedules, illness, transportation issues, and simply forgetting to vote. Will this election be different? Let’s hope so!
Least: Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s voting system makes turning up at the polls difficult for residents. It’s no surprise that the state ranks as one of the least politically engaged states in the country.
In the 2020 presidential election, Oklahoma had the lowest turnout among eligible voters. This issue is particularly evident among young people ages 18 to 29. Many move for school or jobs and haven’t developed consistent voting habits. They often don’t know about registration or absentee ballot deadlines and feel uninformed about issues in their new communities.
Least: Indiana
Like other states with low political engagement, Indiana has struggled with low voter turnout for years. In the 2022 midterm elections, only 41.9% of Hoosiers cast their ballots, falling more than ten percentage points below the national average.
Recent assessments show that Indiana continues to battle voter apathy. Fewer Hoosiers are registering to vote, and even fewer are making it to the polls. It goes without saying that boosting participation is important for the state’s civic health.
Source: WalletHub
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