May 2, 2025 - Politics
Louisiana voter turnout among nation's lowest in 2024
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Louisiana voters were less likely to cast ballots in last November's elections compared to the rest of the country, according to new Census Bureau estimates.
Why it matters: We can do better than that, and this Saturday's municipal election is a great place to start.
The big picture: About 65% of voting-age Americans cast a ballot in last November's elections, down from nearly 67% in 2020.
- With 58%, Louisiana had one of the lowest voting turnouts in the country. Only Arkansas (52.8%) and Texas (57.9%) were lower.
Between the lines: Lack of participation doesn't necessarily imply voter apathy. Some want to vote but are unable due to work, health issues, etc.
- Some of the top-performing states and areas have vote-by-mail systems, which tend to boost participation. (High-performer Oregon, for example, has been using vote-by-mail in presidential elections since 2000.)
- Nearly 40% of voters nationwide cast their ballot in person on Election Day this past November, per the Census Bureau. Nearly 31% voted in person but early, while 29% voted by mail.
What's next: About half of Louisiana's parishes have municipal elections Saturday, which historically have low turnout numbers too.
- Here's our guide to Saturday's election in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.