Midterm turnout is usually lower than presidential-year turnout, but it can move sharply when voters believe the stakes are high. The Census Bureau reported that 53% of the citizen voting-age population voted in the 2018 midterm, the highest midterm rate in four decades; the next federal midterm is in November 2026.
America works when citizens show up for the offices that write laws, control spending, and represent their communities. Your vote is your voice in that decision. As of October 05, 2026, confirm your own registration, polling place, hours, ID rule, and deadlines with your state or local election office.
How many Americans vote in midterm elections?
Turnout depends on the measure being used. A common measure divides total ballots cast by eligible voters. Ballotpedia lists national turnout at 36.7% in 2014, 50.0% in 2018, and 46.2% in 2022 under that measure.
| Federal election year | National turnout | Election type |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 40.5% | Midterm |
| 2004 | 60.7% | Presidential |
| 2006 | 41.3% | Midterm |
| 2008 | 62.2% | Presidential |
| 2010 | 41.8% | Midterm |
| 2012 | 58.6% | Presidential |
| 2014 | 36.7% | Midterm |
| 2016 | 60.1% | Presidential |
| 2018 | 50.0% | Midterm |
| 2020 | 66.6% | Presidential |
| 2022 | 46.2% | Midterm |
| 2024 | 63.9% | Presidential |
These figures come from Ballotpedia turnout tables, which define turnout as total ballots cast divided by eligible voters. That definition matters when you compare one table with another.
Was 2018 the highest midterm turnout in U.S. history?
The Census Bureau called 2018 the highest midterm turnout in four decades, based on 53% of the citizen voting-age population. It also reported an 11-point increase from 2014, when turnout was at its lowest in that comparison.
The 2018 change was especially large among voters ages 18 to 29: 36% voted, compared with 20% in 2014. Read the Census Bureau’s 2018 midterm turnout report for its full population and age-group breakdown.
Claims about an all-time record need a consistent historical measure. For official federal vote counts going back to 1920, the Clerk of the House publishes Election Statistics from state and territorial sources. Those reports are the right starting point if you want to compare older elections carefully.
Which recent presidential election had the highest turnout?
In the 2002-to-2024 national series shown above, 2020 had the highest listed turnout rate at 66.6%. The next highest listed presidential-year rate was 63.9% in 2024. A presidential election and a midterm should not be treated as the same kind of contest: every House seat is on the ballot in both, while the presidential office appears only in presidential years.
Why 2026 turnout matters
Congressional elections occur every two years. USAGov’s midterm election guide says every House seat and roughly one-third of Senate seats are up for election in a midterm. The 2026 election is therefore a direct choice about who represents your state and district in Congress for the next two years.
There is no completed national turnout statistic for the November 2026 midterm as of October 05, 2026. Use past rates as context, not as a prediction of what your community will do.
Do local elections have a national average turnout rate?
Local races vary by state, county, city, election date, and which offices or ballot questions are on the ballot. For a useful local number, ask your county or local election office for turnout from comparable prior elections. Check the office early, because your assigned location can change between elections.
If you are sorting out other election terms before you vote, this guide to a runoff election explains how a second election can work. You can also use the site’s voter registration card guide to understand how to check or replace your card.
What should you confirm before you vote?
- Registration: USAGov says to check your name, address, party information where applicable, and polling place before your state deadline. State deadlines can be as much as 30 days before an election. Use registration status guidance to reach your state election website.
- Place and hours: Your state or local election office sets these. USAGov says your assigned location is based on your residential address; confirm it and its hours with the office through polling-place guidance.
- ID: Each state sets its own rule. USAGov says most states require identification for in-person voting, while some eligible voters without the requested ID may have options such as an identity form or a provisional ballot. Check your state’s ID requirements before leaving home.
- Early or mail voting: Rules and deadlines differ by state. USAGov says most states offer some early in-person voting, while absentee and mail-ballot rules can differ on requests, excuses, return methods, and whether a deadline is based on postmark or receipt. Confirm your option through early voting or mail-ballot guidance.
- Ballot choices: USAGov says sample ballots and voter guides list candidates and state or local questions. Review them before voting so you can make your own choices.
For any deadline, polling hour, or state-specific step not shown by your election authority, contact that authority directly. Federal elections cannot be conducted online, according to USAGov’s Election Day page.
By USPatriotNews.com Editorial Team
