Voters in U.S. 2008 presidential election: c. 131 million
Total voters in all U.S. pres. elections, 1788-1908: c. 137 million
Voters in U.S. 2008 presidential election: c. 131 million
Total voters in all U.S. pres. elections, 1788-1908: c. 137 million
This is not particularly surprising given various factors. The population of the United States was less than one third its present numbers at its height during the period 1788-1908. Then there are the limitations that existed on the franchise. Women, and African Americans could not vote in most states. The voting age was 21 not 18. And many states had poll taxes, literacy tests, and in some cases property requirements that one needed to pass in order to vote.
The world has indeed changed for the better. But the figures quoted I think are less reflective of an increased interest in politics than an increase in population and a liberalization of the franchise.
Under the mercy,
[url=http://ad-orientem.blogspot.com/]John[/url]
An [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4pUphDitA]Orthodox [/url] Christian
According to [url=http://election.cbsnews.com/election2008/]CBS[/url], the actual 2008 election popular vote totaled 120.8M. (64,248,093 + 56,635,424). That is large in itself and compared to the total, but notably, the popular vote for the 2004 election [url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/](CNN)[/url] totaled 121M (62,040,606 + 59,028,109).
Thanks for citing your source, #2.
The vote totals will continue to go up for several weeks. I remember that it was a while after the election in 2004 before Bush reached 60 million. Remember the front page of the Daily Mirror after Bush won reelection? “How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?” So probably Obama and McCain will have at least 68 million and 60 million votes or so when all is counted.
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/georgewbush/ig/100-Bush-Pictures/Bush-Dumb-People.–3Z.htm