Composition of the Electorate

Because the American Electorate Should Represent the American People

Download Representational Bias in the 2014 Electorate here.
Download Representational Bias in the 2014 Electorate here.

Low-income and minority citizens—both significant portions of the American population—are historically alienated from the electoral process. As a result, the proportion of the U.S. population that registers to vote and that does vote is highly skewed towards Whites, the educated and the wealthy.

These disparities in the electorate weaken our democracy and skew the national agenda by excluding from major public policy decisions the voices of the least powerful and most vulnerable citizens.

Project Vote research documents these disparities, and works to close the gaps by encouraging voter participation among underrepresented populations, and eliminate unfair barriers to voter registration and participation.

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Despite Gains in Participation Among Certain Groups, New Research Shows that the American Electorate Still Does Not Represent the American People

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With just over three months until the 2016 election, a major new report from voting rights group Project Vote identifies where participatory gaps still exist in the American electorate. Read more

New Report Identifies Gaps in the American Electorate

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As the 2015-2016 election cycle gets underway, nonprofit voting rights group Project Vote has released a major new report that presents a comprehensive picture of disparities in the changing American electorate. Read more

Project Vote Releases New Analysis of Who Voted (and Who Didn’t) in 2010

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While the 2008 electorate was the most diverse in American history, and voters gave the majority of their votes to Democrats, the 2010 midterm election experienced unusually high participation from older and wealthier voters who strongly favored Republican candidates, according to a new analysis released today by Project Vote. Read more

New Poll Presents the 2008 Electorate’s Views on Government

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Today Project Vote released What Happened to Hope and Change? A Poll of 2008 Voters, a new report summarizing the results of a telephone survey of 1,947 Americans who cast ballots in 2008, analyzing their views on the role of government, government spending, and the budget. T Read more

Project Vote Releases New Report on Composition of the 2008 Electorate

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Representational Bias in the 2008 Electorate reviews the story of who was eligible to vote, who was registered to vote, and who did vote in the 2008 general election. Read more

NEW: Project Vote Analysis of CPS Data Shows a More Diverse Electorate in 2008

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The November 2008 election saw dramatic increases in participation by traditionally underrepresented groups, including Americans of color and young voters, according to a new research memo released today by Project Vote. Read more

Minority Voting Surged in 2008 Election, According to Project Vote Analysis

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The United States saw dramatic increases in the number of ballots cast by traditionally underrepresented groups, including Americans of color and young voters, according to an analysis released today by Project Vote. Read more

New Voters, New Voices: Record Turnout a Triumph for Democracy, says Project Vote

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With long lines seen across the country, all indications suggest that America's voters, as predicted, will shatter previous records and represent the diverse voices of the country's populace like no election in recent history. Read more

Super Voter Turnout on Super Tuesday

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On Tuesday, February 5, record numbers of Americans participated in primaries and caucuses in 24 states. A significant number of these voters were young voters or voters of color, two groups that have had historically low voting rates. Read more

New Project Vote Report Shows that Minorities in Kentucky are Closing the Voting Gap

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How elections are won and lost begin with which eligible Americans are engaged in the process. A new report released today by Project Vote highlights the importance of voter registration programs in lower income, youth, and minority communities. Read more