Voter Turnout

Explanation

Voter turnout measures electoral participation — the share of those who could vote who actually do so. It varies significantly by country, election type, and context. Australia, Belgium, and several Latin American countries use compulsory voting, achieving turnouts above 90%. Voluntary systems see wide variation — U.S. presidential elections typically see 55-65% turnout; midterms around 40%. Factors affecting turnout include electoral system design, ease of registration, polling place accessibility, perceived competitiveness of the election, and civic culture. Low turnout raises questions about democratic legitimacy and often advantages parties with more motivated bases.