What does voter turnout measure?

Voter turnout specifically measures the percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election by casting their ballots. This metric provides valuable insight into the level of civic engagement and political participation within a population. High voter turnout can indicate a strong interest in the electoral process and the issues at stake, while low turnout may signal apathy or disillusionment with politics.

In this context, the focus is on eligible voters, as not every citizen is eligible to vote due to factors such as age, residency, or legal status. The metric thus captures the effectiveness of the electoral system in mobilizing those who have the right to vote.

The total number of votes cast does not account for the number of eligible voters, making it less meaningful as a measure of participation in the voting process. Similarly, the ratio of registered to eligible voters focuses on registration rather than actual voting, and the average age of voters provides demographic information but does not reflect turnout rates.