Source: CounterPunch
by Nick Licata
“President Donald Trump and his Republican Party have embraced the goal of lowering voter turnout to prevent Democrats from winning elections. History contradicts that claim. From 1980 to 2024, in the 12 presidential elections, more than 50% of the voting-eligible population (EVP) voted. Only four exceeded 60%, with wins split evenly between two Democrats and two Republicans. Among races with EVP turnout between 55% and 60%, Republicans won three and Democrats won two. In other words, getting more people to vote doesn’t guarantee the Democrats will win. Surprisingly, Republicans have done better! … Voters ages 65 and older were most likely to vote by mail. Mailed ballots accounted for almost 40% of votes cast by this group in 2024 and 44% in 2022. In 2020, exit polls showed that an overwhelming 56 percent of voters ages 50-64 voted for Trump, while 43 percent voted for Harris.” (10/13/26)