Because the American Electorate Should Represent the American People
Low-income and minority citizens—both significant portions of the American population—are historically alienated from the electoral process. As a result, the proportion of the U.S. population that registers to vote and that does vote is highly skewed towards Whites, the educated and the wealthy.
These disparities in the electorate weaken our democracy and skew the national agenda by excluding from major public policy decisions the voices of the least powerful and most vulnerable citizens.
Project Vote research documents these disparities, and works to close the gaps by encouraging voter participation among underrepresented populations, and eliminate unfair barriers to voter registration and participation.
Most Recent / Relevant Items
- (139)
- (26)
- (76)
- (26)
- (11)
Advanced Filters and Sorting
Minority Voting Surged in 2008 Election, According to Project Vote Analysis
The United States saw dramatic increases in the number of ballots cast by traditionally underrepresented groups, including Americans of color and young voters, according to an analysis released today by Project Vote. Read more
Minorities boost Dems’ numbers
The increase in the number of Democrats who voted this year far outstripped GOP gains. Read more
Where Are The New Voters? Look Closer.
Given voter registration spikes and widespread predictions that this year's turnout would shatter records, it's tempting to look at exit polls and ask: Where did all the voters go? Read more
Surge in minority voting pushed Obama over the top
Barack Obama's 8.5 million-vote margin over John McCain was fueled by a more than 20 percent surge in minority voting, a new analysis of exit polling data suggests. Read more
2008 Results: Fewer White Voters, While Minorities Set Records
America's electorate may have changed in striking and subtle ways in 2008 compared to 2004, according to a preliminary study by a national voter registration group that found sizeable numbers of white voters did not vote in battleground states this November while record numbers of minorities turned out and voted. Read more
New Voters, New Voices: Record Turnout a Triumph for Democracy, says Project Vote
With long lines seen across the country, all indications suggest that America's voters, as predicted, will shatter previous records and represent the diverse voices of the country's populace like no election in recent history. Read more
The Demographics of Voters in America’s 2008 General Election: A Preliminary Assessment
In this memorandum, Jody Herman and Lorraine Minnite assess demographic shifts that took place in the 2008 general election compared to the 2004 general election. Read more
Wisconsin Votes: Civic Engagement in the Badger State
This 2008 report provides a concise review of Wisconsin’s population and voter participation trends of several demographic groups in the November 2006 election, based largely on the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey. Read more
Florida Votes: Civic Engagement in the Sunshine State
In this 2008 report, Benjamin Spears uses Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) data to present information on Florida’s population, voter registration and voting participation over time and to compare it to data relative to the United States. Read more
Colorado Votes: Civic Engagement Engagement in the Rocky Mountain, 2002-2006
In this 2008 report, Benjamin Spears provides a concise review of Colorado’s population and voter participation trends of various demographic groups between 2002 and 2006. Read more