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Voting
In every age group, adults with higher levels of education are more likely to vote than those
with lower levels of education.
●● In the 2008 presidential election, the gap between the
Figure 1.22 voting rates of individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree
and those with a high school education was smallest among
Voting Rates Among U.S. Citizens, by Age and older voters. Among individuals ages 75 and older, there
Education Level, 2008 was an 11 percentage point gap between the voting rates
of four-year college graduates and high school graduates.
Not a High School Graduate Some College or Associate Degree
Among individuals ages 65 to 74, there was a 15 percentage
High School Graduate Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
point gap.
100%
●● In the 2008 presidential election, the gap between the
voting rates of individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree
85%
80% and those with a high school education was largest among
81%
81%
78%
younger voters. Among individuals ages 25 to 44, there
77%
77%
74%
was a 32 percentage point gap between the voting rates
70%
70%
67%
Voting Rate
64%
60%
of four-year college graduates and high school graduates.
61%
57%
The voting rate gap for individuals ages 18 to 24 was 30
53%
51%
percentage points.
45%
40%
40%
40%
●● The gap between the voting rates of individuals with some
college or an associate degree and those with a high school
29%
27%
20%
education ranged from a 10 percentage point difference
for those age 75 and over to a 19 percentage point gap
for those ages 25 to 44, among whom 64% of those with
0%
18 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 64 65 to 74 75 and over
some college or an associate degree and 45% of high
school graduates voted.
Age
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008.
Also important:
●● The highest overall voting rate in presidential elections since 1972
was 65% in 1992. In both 2004 and 2008, 64% of citizens ages 18
and older voted. The highest voting rate among four-year college
graduates was in 1992 (85%), but the 1972 presidential election
saw the highest voting rates for those without a bachelor’s degree.
Trends in Higher Education Series trends.collegeboard.org 33