A slightly larger percentage, among those Virginians who could vote, participated in the 2022 mid-term elections than their counterparts across the nation, according to new Census Bureau data.
The federal government compares states using the percentage of the “CVAP” (citizen voting-age population): those who are eligible to register and vote.
Of that group – 6.04 million in Virginia, 233.5 million nationally – 53.2 percent of Virginians went to the polls last year, compared to 52.2 percent nationally.
Though lower than the rate in 2018 mid-term election (53.4%), it was higher than in 2014 (41.9%) and 2010 (45.5%), according to Census Bureau estimates.
Across the nation, Oregon had the highest CVAP rate, 70 percent, with Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado and the District of Columbia also scoring high. West Virginia, at 38.4 percent, was lowest.
Virginia’s rate probably would have been higher than it was had there been a marquee race on the ballot, but there was no U.S. Senate race and Virginia elects its governors in odd-numbered years. But the Virginia rate probably was bumped up by a trio of hotly contested races for U.S. House of Representatives.
The Census Bureau also asked Americans who did not cast ballots why they opted not to. The top three responses: too busy (26.5%); being uninterested or having a feeling that the vote wouldn’t make a difference (17.6%); and having an illness or disability (12.5%).
Young Democrats Set Leadership for 2023: The Fairfax Young Democrats organization has its new leadership team in place for 2023.
Camila Alonzo Mez and Rachel Reibach will serve as co-presidents, with Saddam Salim as vice president, Denver Supinger as treasurer, Izzy Oldfield as secretary and Ethan Gardner as political director.
