Only 9% of America chose Trump, Clinton as nominees
Polls suggest they will be separated by just a handful of votes
A combination photo shows US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (L) and Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) in Los Angeles, California on May 5, 2016 and in Eugene, Oregon, U.S. on May 6, 2016 respectively. PHOTO: REUTERS
Only 9% of America’s 324 million population chose Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton as nominees, according to The New York Times.
Data suggesting only a tiny fraction of the US population participated in the voting process considers that out of the total population in the US, 103 million are children, non-citizens or ineligible felons. This means that they do not have the right to vote. In addition to this figure, 88 million eligible adults do not vote at all, even in general elections. This finding is based on the share of eligible adults who voted in the 2012 general elections.
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Moreover, it should be noted that although 73 million did not vote in the primaries this year, they will most likely vote in the general election. However, this figure does not include people who voted in caucuses which have less reliable turnout numbers. A small percentage of people who voted in primaries but not in general elections are also not included. This leads to the conclusion that the remaining 60 million people voted in the primaries: about 30 million each for Republicans and Democrats. But half of the primary voters chose other candidates; meaning that just 14 percent of eligible adults — 9% of the whole nation — voted for either Trump or Clinton.
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It is interesting to note that the overall shares were about the same in 2008, the last cycle without an incumbent president running. Trump and Clinton will be working to win the votes of these three groups. Polls suggest they will be separated by just a handful of votes.
This data has been compiled by The New York Times using statistics from the US Census Bureau (population estimates); Federal Election Commission (2012 general election turnout); Dave Leip’s Atlas of US Presidential Elections (2016 primary turnout and candidate vote totals); The Sentencing Project (ineligible felon estimates); Pew Research Center.
This article originally appeared on The New York Times.
Data suggesting only a tiny fraction of the US population participated in the voting process considers that out of the total population in the US, 103 million are children, non-citizens or ineligible felons. This means that they do not have the right to vote. In addition to this figure, 88 million eligible adults do not vote at all, even in general elections. This finding is based on the share of eligible adults who voted in the 2012 general elections.
Trump must be defeated, says Clinton in Ohio
Moreover, it should be noted that although 73 million did not vote in the primaries this year, they will most likely vote in the general election. However, this figure does not include people who voted in caucuses which have less reliable turnout numbers. A small percentage of people who voted in primaries but not in general elections are also not included. This leads to the conclusion that the remaining 60 million people voted in the primaries: about 30 million each for Republicans and Democrats. But half of the primary voters chose other candidates; meaning that just 14 percent of eligible adults — 9% of the whole nation — voted for either Trump or Clinton.
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It is interesting to note that the overall shares were about the same in 2008, the last cycle without an incumbent president running. Trump and Clinton will be working to win the votes of these three groups. Polls suggest they will be separated by just a handful of votes.
This data has been compiled by The New York Times using statistics from the US Census Bureau (population estimates); Federal Election Commission (2012 general election turnout); Dave Leip’s Atlas of US Presidential Elections (2016 primary turnout and candidate vote totals); The Sentencing Project (ineligible felon estimates); Pew Research Center.
This article originally appeared on The New York Times.