An Unexpected Voter Turnout in an Unparalleled Year

By Gabrielle w. '22

It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a year full of unexpected situations. The word “unprecedented,” most commonly used to describe this year, is no longer sufficient. In fact, we have long surpassed “unprecedented.” This year’s events are merely inexplicable. From social unrest and political division, to a public health crisis that threatens everyone’s health and safety, some Americans have lost hope in the possibility of returning to any semblance of normalcy. In an election year, the response to these events is more critical than it would be during any other time. Participation in the 2020 election has proven to be vital to America’s future and how we progress from here. 

This year, Americans across the country took charge of America’s future by exercising their right to vote in large numbers. In some states, early voting began as many as 46 days prior to the election date, November 3, 2020. Many Americans took advantage of early voting, and, as a result, cast a record number of votes. According to an article in TIME magazine, America has a history of having the worst voter turnout rate globally. However, this year we have outdone ourselves, exceeding voter participation in the 2016 election by roughly 22 million voters. Over 66 percent of eligible voters voted in this election. American democracy has never seen so many participants from such a large pool of eligible voters. 

Just a century ago, the voting-pool looked significantly different as the federal government denied Native Americans, Asian Americans, and women the right to vote. Although African American men were eligible to vote, it wasn’t always safe for them to do so, due to the racial climate of the time. Since then, times have changed for the better, and the government has lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. All these factors contribute to the increase in voter turnout leading up to this election. Additionally, more young and new voters decided to participate in the democratic process for the 2020 election cycle. 

With such a polarizing political climate in an election year, an increase in voter turnout rates was highly anticipated. Historically, voter turnout rates have been statistically much higher during more controversial elections. When so much passion surrounds an election, more people are inclined to make their way to the polling stations and take part in the democratic process.