What does this measure?
The percentage of the voting-age population (18 and over) that voted in an election.
Why is this important?
Voting is a basic responsibility of all citizens and an indication of the citizenry's interest in and commitment to participating in our political process.
How is our county doing?
In Essex County, voter participation was 51% in the 2018 midterm elections and 64% in the 2016 presidential elections. The 2018 midterm election participation rate was slightly higher than the rates in all midterm elections since 2000.
Voter turnout in Essex County was a bit higher than the state (50%). Saugus had the lowest participation rate at 50%, and Manchester and West Newbury the highest, both at 77%.
How do we compare to similar counties?
Voter participation in Essex County during the 2018 midterm elections was much higher than Lake, IL and Westchester, NY (47% and 44% respectively), and similar to the rate in Middlesex, MA at 53%.
Notes about the data
Rates were calculated using Census estimates of the population 18 and over. National data only available for presidential years.