Knowra Voter turnout Voter turnout Voter turnout is the share of eligible voters who cast ballots in an election or referendum. It measures electoral participation, not support for any candidate or outcome.
Rational choice theory of voting : An approach that explains voting as a decision shaped by expected benefits, costs, and civic motivations. It models how perceived benefits and the effort of voting affect participation.
Voter turnout by age : The comparison of electoral participation rates across age groups. Age differences reveal how participation changes across stages of life.
Voting-age population : The population old enough to vote under a specified age threshold, regardless of citizenship or legal eligibility. Using this broader denominator usually produces a different rate than eligible-voter turnout.
Political representation : The process by which elected officials act for constituents or groups in political institutions. Unequal turnout can make some groups' preferences more visible to elected officials.
United States presidential elections : Federal elections in which voters choose among candidates for president of the United States. Their turnout patterns invite comparison across states, eras, and election rules.
Voting costs : The practical, informational, and time burdens people face when casting a ballot. Registration, travel, and waiting can turn willingness to vote into abstention.
Voter turnout by income : The comparison of electoral participation rates across income groups. Income patterns expose how resources and unequal burdens shape participation.
Voting-eligible population : The population legally qualified to vote in a particular jurisdiction and election. This is the denominator that defines the turnout measure in this page's gloss.
Political legitimacy : The recognized rightfulness or acceptance of political authority and institutions. Low participation can weaken claims that elected governments reflect broad public consent.
Australian federal elections : National elections for Australia's Parliament, where voting is compulsory for eligible citizens. They illustrate how compulsory voting can produce high participation.
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