It is a question that many people ask. It is also a question that tells a story. That question is, what is the number of eligible voters in the US. Based on statistics for 2020, the number of eligible voters in the US was 168 million people. Politicians ask these questions to help plan strategies and to get a pulse on the country. And many Americans ask out of curiosity or concern about things like voter turnout.
The Story Behind the Numbers
Those 168 million-plus eligible American voters also tell a story. Perhaps one of the most eye-opening revelations about these numbers is the significant increase. During the previous US Presidential election, the number of eligible voters was 153 million people. Those 168 million eligible voters are also the highest number since 2016 recorded 157 million.
These numbers also show a historic rise of eligible voters in the country over the past 15 years. In 1996, for example, the eligible number of voters was 127 million. Those voter numbers have taken a couple of considerable jumps too.
In 2004 the number of eligible US voters was 142 million. Those numbers remained reasonably even until another spike in voter numbers in 2012. The number of eligible voters in the US in 2012 was 153 million. And most recently, those 168 million eligible voters from the 2020 data figures.
The Future of Eligible Voters in the US
If history is any indicator then America can expect to see continued overall rises in the number of eligible voters in the US. While history also shows definitive peaks and drops in the number of eligible US voters, it also shows a bigger picture.
According to the number of eligible voters throughout history, it is apparent that the overall numbers will continue to grow. And while the US voting system has managed to handle these growing numbers, adjustments have been made accordingly.
These numbers and in particular the recent growth of voters, are also evidence of an America and a government that is working. Although most of us (if any of us) won't likely see anything close to 200 million voters, history and data say that day is coming.
This continual growth in the number of eligible voters in the US is also reflective of the growth in many of the smaller voting factions. These include both African-American and Hispanic voters showing increasing numbers of eligible voters in the US.