Forty-four states plus Washington, D.C., saw an increase in voter turnout in 2020 compared to 2016, according to a new census data analysis by the Brookings Institution that was reviewed by Axios.
By the numbers: Turnout for non-college-educated, white voters — a key voting bloc for Donald Trump — dropped in just six states. Meanwhile, turnout for white college grads fell in 15 states, and non-white voter turnout fell in 13.
- Despite being a critical battleground state, turnout in North Carolina fell from 2016.
- Black voters in South Carolina played a critical role in Joe Biden's nomination as the Democratic candidate, but the state saw the biggest decline in non-white voter turnout — dropping 11 percentage points.
- The blue state of New Jersey landed at the top for voter turnout (excluding Washington, D.C.). The state saw a whopping 30-point jump among 18- to 29-year-olds, and made the greatest gains of any state among non-white voters and white, college-educated voters.