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BlogAmerica’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs are instrumental in every federal, state and local election – providing key funding, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers.New NACo data release highlights the key role of counties in elections
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Blog
New NACo data release highlights the key role of counties in elections
OVER 191 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION
Number of registered voters in county jurisdictions by state
Note: Voter registration data is the latest available and is collected from State Board of Elections websites.
America’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs are instrumental in every federal, state and local election – providing key funding, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers. More than 191 million people in 43 states (where county data is available) and the District of Columbia are currently registered to vote in the 2020 general election.
NACo’s County Explorer recently updated data on elections, highlighting the key role that county governments play in administering a fair, accurate election. Included in the update is information on election registration, election administration and election participation, all of which can be accessed at Explorer.NACo.org.
COUNTIES OVERSEE POLLING PLACES AND COORDINATE POLL WORKERS FOR ELECTIONS
Number of polling places, poll workers and precincts in county jurisdictions by election year
During the 2016 general election, more than 192 million people were registered and eligible to vote within jurisdictions where counties played a significant role in election administration. In preparation for the 2016 general election, county jurisdictions processed over 70.7 million registration forms. Throughout that election, counties oversaw over 100,000 polling places and organized nearly 800,000 poll workers.
ELECTION DAY IN-PERSON VOTING IS THE MOST COMMON VOTING MODE USED AND ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN HALF OF ELECTION PARTICIPATION
Election participation by vote mode, by election year
Note: For 2008 data, by-mail voters only include those their ballot using a by-mail absentee ballot.
The unprecedented nature of COVID-19 has fundamentally altered the landscape of the 2020 election cycle, with more voters opting to cast ballots by mail. Early voting trends for the 2020 general election have surpassed records. To date, 66.3 million people have cast their ballots for the 2020 election, with 67 percent using mail ballots and 33 percent voting in person before Election Day1.
In the 2016 general election, over 125 million voters cast their ballots within county jurisdictions – that was 65 percent of voters nationwide. Thirty-two (32) million individuals cast their ballots by mail, that is either using a by-mail absentee ballot or voted in a “vote-by-mail” precinct. Overall, in presidential elections since 2008, more than 352 million individuals cast ballots in county-administered jurisdictions, including nearly 80 million who cast ballots via mail-in methods.
Despite the increasing popularity of early voting methods (i.e., mail ballots and in-person early voting), Election Day in-person voting remains the most popular voting method for residents across the nation. In the last six election cycles, election day in-person voting accounted for more than half of participation.
COUNTY LEADERS WORK TO ENSURE FAIR, SECURE, ACCURATE ELECTION
Registered voters by county, 2020
Before, during and after Election Day, county governments and elections officials across the country will work diligently and tirelessly to process and count ballots, and thereby execute a fair, secure and accurate election. Election officials assure that delayed results do not indicate a problem or compromise accuracy.
To assist in the response to voters, candidates and the media, NACo developed a customizable press release for county officials. Click here for a link to the template.
To explore the data, visit Explorer.NACo.org.
1. The United States Elections Project, Available at https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html (October, 2020)America’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs are instrumental in every federal, state and local election – providing key funding, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers.2020-11-02Blog2020-11-03
OVER 191 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION
Number of registered voters in county jurisdictions by state
Note: Voter registration data is the latest available and is collected from State Board of Elections websites.
America’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs are instrumental in every federal, state and local election – providing key funding, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers. More than 191 million people in 43 states (where county data is available) and the District of Columbia are currently registered to vote in the 2020 general election.
NACo’s County Explorer recently updated data on elections, highlighting the key role that county governments play in administering a fair, accurate election. Included in the update is information on election registration, election administration and election participation, all of which can be accessed at Explorer.NACo.org.
COUNTIES OVERSEE POLLING PLACES AND COORDINATE POLL WORKERS FOR ELECTIONS
Number of polling places, poll workers and precincts in county jurisdictions by election year
During the 2016 general election, more than 192 million people were registered and eligible to vote within jurisdictions where counties played a significant role in election administration. In preparation for the 2016 general election, county jurisdictions processed over 70.7 million registration forms. Throughout that election, counties oversaw over 100,000 polling places and organized nearly 800,000 poll workers.
ELECTION DAY IN-PERSON VOTING IS THE MOST COMMON VOTING MODE USED AND ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN HALF OF ELECTION PARTICIPATION
Election participation by vote mode, by election year
Note: For 2008 data, by-mail voters only include those their ballot using a by-mail absentee ballot.
The unprecedented nature of COVID-19 has fundamentally altered the landscape of the 2020 election cycle, with more voters opting to cast ballots by mail. Early voting trends for the 2020 general election have surpassed records. To date, 66.3 million people have cast their ballots for the 2020 election, with 67 percent using mail ballots and 33 percent voting in person before Election Day1.
In the 2016 general election, over 125 million voters cast their ballots within county jurisdictions – that was 65 percent of voters nationwide. Thirty-two (32) million individuals cast their ballots by mail, that is either using a by-mail absentee ballot or voted in a “vote-by-mail” precinct. Overall, in presidential elections since 2008, more than 352 million individuals cast ballots in county-administered jurisdictions, including nearly 80 million who cast ballots via mail-in methods.
Despite the increasing popularity of early voting methods (i.e., mail ballots and in-person early voting), Election Day in-person voting remains the most popular voting method for residents across the nation. In the last six election cycles, election day in-person voting accounted for more than half of participation.
COUNTY LEADERS WORK TO ENSURE FAIR, SECURE, ACCURATE ELECTION
Registered voters by county, 2020
Before, during and after Election Day, county governments and elections officials across the country will work diligently and tirelessly to process and count ballots, and thereby execute a fair, secure and accurate election. Election officials assure that delayed results do not indicate a problem or compromise accuracy.
To assist in the response to voters, candidates and the media, NACo developed a customizable press release for county officials. Click here for a link to the template.
To explore the data, visit Explorer.NACo.org.
1. The United States Elections Project, Available at https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html (October, 2020)
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About Stacy Nakintu (Full Bio)
Senior Analyst, Research & Data Analytics
Stacy is NACo's senior analyst for research and data analytics in the Counties Futures Lab. She is responsible for leading research projects (including scoping, data collection, analysis and writing) and acting as the primary analyst for the County Explorer briefs that translate key CE data points for NACo audiences.More from Stacy Nakintu
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Blog
The County Countdown – August 29, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we are covering this week. -
Blog
The county role in elections remains critical as U.S. commemorates National Poll Worker Recruitment Day
August 23, 2023, has been established by the U.S. -
County News
Poll workers remain a must-have for election officials
Despite all of his worries about the pandemic and the vulnerable age of many of his poll workers in Williamson County, Texas, Election Administrator Chris Davis made it through 2020 successfully in a state where limited vote-by-mail options put pressure on in-person voting. The aftermath, however, has been different. -
Blog
Supreme Court safeguards the county role in federal elections administration in landmark Moore v. Harper decision
On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in Moore v. Harper, a historic election law case. -
Blog
U.S. Election Assistance Commission recognizes county excellence in 2022 Clearinghouse Awards
On May 23, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission announced the winners of its 2022 Clearinghouse (“Clearie”) awards, recognizing 24 jurisdictions for its election administration practices during the 2022 primary and midterm elections. -
Blog
U.S. Senators reintroduce legislation aimed to protect local election officials
On April 28, U.S. Senate Rules Committee Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) re-introduced the Election Worker Protection Act (S.
Contact
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Senior Analyst, Research & Data Analytics(202) 942-4233
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Associate Director, Research(202) 942-4247
Related Posts
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BlogThe County Countdown – August 29, 2023Aug. 29, 2023
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Related Resources
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Reports & ToolkitsEvolving Elections: How State Legislation Will Impact the County Role in Election AdministrationNov. 8, 2022
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Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role in Elections: How Counties Administer Secure and Accurate ElectionsNov. 8, 2022
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Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Analysis for Counties: American Confidence in Elections ActOct. 6, 2022