Colorado voter turnout drops in 2024 general election
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Voter turnout in Colorado fell this election compared with the previous two presidential cycles, according to the latest data from the secretary of state's office.
Why it matters: The decline may have shaped last Tuesday's results, in which Republicans flipped the state's newest congressional seat and Denver residents rejected a tax increase for affordable housing.
Caveat: Results remain unofficial.
By the numbers: About 72% of registered Colorado voters participated in this election.
- That's down from 78% in 2020 — when turnout was among the highest in the country — and 74% in 2016, per state data.
What they're saying: Multiple factors contributed to this year's trailing turnout, including a lack of enthusiasm among Democrats both statewide and nationally, political experts tell us.
- In 2020, voters were more engaged because "we were on the heels of the #MeToo movement … the protests for Black Lives Matter … and, of course, the pandemic," said Robert Preuhs, chair of Metro State University's political science department.
- Additionally, investments in Colorado's get-out-the-vote efforts were down compared with past cycles, according to Aly Belknap, executive director of Common Cause Colorado, a nonpartisan group advocating for fair and accessible voting.
Yes, but: There were bright spots, particularly among younger voters.
- Turnout among Coloradans ages 18 to 34 was 69% — 27 points above the estimated national average — according to the youth organizing nonprofit New Era Colorado. That age group leaned heavily in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris, the nonprofit said.
- With Colorado's population growth, the number of registered voters has reached its highest in at least 12 years, nearing 4.6 million.
Between the lines: Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, suggested turnout fluctuations are normal and shouldn't be over-interpreted.
- "Voter engagement changes from cycle to cycle. It can be affected by the candidates on the ballot or even things like weather on Election Day," Griswold told Axios Denver in a statement.
The intrigue: Coloradans took more time to complete their ballots this year, leading to lower early-voting numbers — a trend likely due to this year's historically long ballots, election experts note.
- "Folks, especially first-time voters, needed a little bit more time and … voter education to feel really confident in … understanding what was on their ballot," Belknap told us.
What to watch: Organizations like Common Cause Colorado are working to secure steadier donor support for grassroots voter engagement, especially groups focused on community-based voter-turnout efforts year-round.
- "That's where it really pays off at the end is to have those relationships with communities … which can be a much bigger turnout driver than … a candidate sending someone to knock on your door right at the end," Belknap said.