CQ TODAY MIDDAY UPDATE
May 21, 2008 – 5:42 a.m.
Political Trivia for May 21
What year produced the highest turnout in presidential primaries?
a. 2008
b. 1992
c. 1972
d. 1960
Answer: c.
According to American University’s Center for the Study of the American Electorate in 1972, 30.9 percent of the eligible electorate voted in the presidential primaries. That year, George McGovern and Richard Nixon were the nominees.
This year, the turnout (so far) is 30.2 percent.
Democratic primary records were set in 23 states, with an overall turnout of 19.3 percent. In 1972, it was 21 percent.
Republicans set records in 10 states, with a total turnout of 10.8 percent (which was lower than 2000 (10.9 percent), 1980 (11.4 percent) and 1976 (11.5 percent).
Comments
Who edited this? "In 1972, it was 21 percent [with an overall turnout of 19.3 percent]" "(which was lower than 200[0]..." Might be interesting to note overall total numbers, even though that biases recent elections.
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