Chapter 3: Suffrage

Between 1788 and 1824, only “white men with property” are allowed to vote, and their “turn-out” (i.e. percent eligible who actually cast a ballot) is often low and quite variable. In 1792, only 6.2% vote in Washington’s second race, while controversy over a second war with Britain raises the 1812 level to 40.4%.

In 1828 most states drop “ownership of property” as a requirement for voting, and the turn-out jumps to 57.3% in a contentious race between rivals JQ Adams and Andrew Jackson. After that, political campaigning also becomes more organized and influential, with candidates encouraged to address voters directly via “stump speeches” and rallies. Current events also play a role in driving turn-out – with the aftermath of the Bank Panic of 1837 drawing 80.3% to the polls in 1840. This level is only exceeded in the 1856 election as the Union begins to come apart over slavery and the new Republican Party fields its first ticket. Help with table

Presidential Election Turn-Out (% of eligible voters who cast a ballot)