Party voter turnout comparison

[Chango]

Excuse me for asking another stupid question, but I need help finding data on comparitive voter turnout by party in recent national elections.

I'm arguing with a numbskull who claims that Republicans hold an enormous advantage because "40% of Democrats don't vote."

I know there is a kernel of truth in that because people who may lean Democrat are not as voter-savvy or have a hard time getting to the polls, but I don't believe turnout is that different between the parties, among registered or stated voters. Even granting for argument's sake that "40%" is accurate - what is the corresponding figure for Republicans?

Where can I find this stuff? .....and please comment.

[displacedtexan]

1. Not as voter-savvy? We won in 2000.

Start with your county board of elections and go from there.

[alonso_quijano]

2. Go along with his premise

"So, considering the 50 million to 50 million tie last time around, we've got another, what, 33 million Democrats who aren't voting? Time for me to volunteer to drive people to the polls!"

Of course, he's probably dead wrong - 32.5 percent of all registered voters didn't bother in 2000, and I doubt that the differences between R and D was so vast.

Interesting material here:

http://www.fec.gov/pages/2000turnout/reg&to00.htm

See anything wrong with Alaska and Montana there? No wonder they went for B*sh.

[beyurslf]

4. Actually, I think there could be that large a difference.

Democrats have more registered voters than republicans do. And, lower income and urban youth tend to register as Dems and are less likely to go to the polls.

[Christ was Socialist]

6. odd

That is wierd

STATE 2000 VAP 2000 REG % REG of VAP TURNOUT* % TO of REG % TO of VAP


Alaska 430,000 473,648 110 285,560 60.3 66.4

Montana 668,000 698,260 104.5 410,986 58.9 61.5

[Chango]

3. Thanks

I think it's myth. It's probably true that among those who don't vote, a large percentage MIGHT or SHOULD vote Democrat if they were hauled to the polls - but there's no point in that.

I think each election is a little different - depending on which side is more motivated by the issues at hand.

[sangh0]

5. "The only thing worse than a fool is the one who argues with them"

You've made the cardinal mistake of taking them at their word. DON'T YOU DARE ever do that again, and if you do, DON'T YOU DARE post about it on DU if I'm around (jes kidding)

NEVER take them at their word!!!

If they say the sky is blue, go outside and check. If they say they've got a pulse, ask them to stick their hand out so you can feel their wrist. And if they throw numbers at you, MAKE THEM PROVE IT!!

And once they find a source, LAUGH AT THEIR SOURCE!!!

It's much better than YOU doing THEIR scut work

[Chango]

7. Good advice

I'm just laying a trap in case the numbskull comes back to me with some BS data.

[Bandit]

8. Don't they believe all felons are Democrats?

So if we continue to lock up most of the Black population on trumped up drug charges they will not be allowed to vote. 40% seems a little high but not by a lot.