Minnesota is tops in voter turnout, census finds

[Love Bug]

Not to brag or anything, but ahem --

The Census Bureau has confirmed Minnesota's ranking as the voting-turnout champ among the 50 states.

Results of a massive national survey indicate that 79.2 percent of Minnesotans voted in November, giving Minnesota the top spot over runner-up Wisconsin, with 78.2 percent.

The lowest turnout was in Hawaii, with 50.8 percent.

Nationally, the Census Bureau found that 63.8 percent of eligible voters went to the polls.

Breaking down the data by age, Minnesota had the nation's highest turnout among younger voters. By ethnic group, Minnesota had the highest turnout nationally among non-Hispanic whites, second highest among blacks, sixth among Hispanics and ninth among Asians.

According to the survey, the top three turnout states were Minnesota, Wisconsin and Maine, with North Dakota and New Hampshire tied for fourth. The bottom five: Hawaii, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and West Virginia.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5426052.html

[trotsky]

1. I am proud, being a Minnesotan, but...

the fact that even the highest turnout in the nation can't crack 80% makes me sad. THAT is what people have fought and died for, our right to VOTE. Not voting, to me, is far far worse than anything you could do to the flag.

[SCDem]

2. Interesting about bottom 5

4 of the 5 in the South. Depressed educational scores and higher than average unemployment seems to favor the Republicans. I feel sad in looking at those states... it's as if people feel utterly hopeless and so hopeless even that they feel that their vote means nothing.

Sad statistics :(

[goodhue]

3. Way to go Minnesota!

No doubt Minnesota's new found status as a battleground state was a factor in turnout.

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. MN is traditionally pretty high in turnout

and if MN is moving back toward grassroots DFL-style politics, instead of the politics of personality and personal attacks (and it is one of the few states that coudl do that easily), then I just might move back there!

www.cafepress.com/showtheworld