Voter Participation
Date posted: 08/06/2009
Quick Data Links
Voter participation is reported below in two ways: the number of registered Voting Age Population and the number of those registered who voted.
- Voting Age Population (VAP) refers to the population over the age of 18.
- Voters Registered refers to the number of registered voters.
- Voter Turnout refers to the total votes cast for the highest position on the ballot.
The number of people registered to vote in Larimer County is a dynamic number that is constantly changing as people move in and out of the County and voters are placed in inactive status for failure to vote. The highest number of registered voters occurs just prior to the general election and is usually lowest after general elections when nonvoters have been changed to inactive status. For purposes of this analysis, the number used was the one taken prior to election day and includes active and inactive status.
As of June 2007, C.R.S. 1-8-104.5 established permanent mail-in ballot status. It is possible that the number of registered voters, beginning with the 2008 general election, will increase because of this law.
What this chart shows: Voting Age Population (VAP) Registration
Data Source:
What this chart shows: Registered Voter Turnout in General Elections
Data Source:
What these data tell us:
From 2002 to 2008, Larimer County and Colorado had a higher percentage of registered voters compared to the United States as a whole. The trend continued in that a higher percentage of registered voters actually voted in Larimer County and Colorado during this period. It is possible, however, that the method for calculating the number of registered voters differs between the national, state, and county levels.What this chart shows: Voting Methods Used - Larimer County, 2002-2008 General Elections
Data Source: Larimer County Clerk's Office
What these data tell us:
In the 2004, 2006 and 2008 general elections, absentee voting was the primary method used. In 2008, the ballot contained a large number of initiatives and long lines at the polling places were anticipated. The Secretary of State encouraged voters to request mail-in ballots and it appears voters in Larimer County heeded that advice.It should be noted that in Larimer County, voters no longer vote at a precinct polling station determined by their residential address. Started in 2003, residents may now vote at any designated County Voting Center. Absentee voting involves having a ballot sent to your home rather than going to a precinct voting center to vote. Provisional ballots are ballots that allow a person to vote even though his or her name is not on the official voter registration list. In Colorado, individuals must first sign an affidavit to vote with a provisional ballot.
What this chart shows: Affiliations of Registrations Received, Larimer County 2002-2008
Data Source: Larimer County Clerk's Office
What these data tell us:
In 2008, the Republican Party and Unaffiliateds had the largest percentage of registered voters in Larimer County, followed by those who register as Democrats. Since 2002, the general trend has seen more voters registered as Democrats and Unaffiliated and fewer have register as Republicans.Additional Information:
Outside Compass -
- Colorado Green Party
- Colorado Libertarian Party
- Colorado Secretary of State
- Federal Voting Assistance Program - for absentee voting
- Larimer County Clerk & Recorder - Elections
- Larimer County Democrats
- Larimer County Republicans
- League of Women Voters of Colorado
- Project Vote Smart
- Vanishing Voters: Why Registered Voters Drop Off the Rolls, a September 2008 report published by U.S. PIRG Education Fund
Industry Standards or Targets:
N/AData Tables:
Voting Age Population (VAP) and Voter Registration
|
|
United States |
Colorado |
Larimer County |
|||
|
N Registered |
% Registered |
N Registered |
% Registered |
N Registered |
% Registered |
|
|
2002 |
128,154,000 | 60.9% | 1,976,000 | 60.9% | 188,832 | 92.4% |
|
2004 |
142,070,000 | 65.9% | 2,307,000 | 67.9% | 161,007 | 76.2% |
|
2006 |
135,847,000 | 61.6% | 2,275,000 | 65.7% | 154,378 | 70.4% |
|
2008 |
146,311,000 | 64.9% | 2,437,000 | 66.0% | 181,864 | 79.0% |
|
|
United States |
Colorado |
Larimer County |
|||
|
N Voted |
% Voted |
N Voted |
% Voted |
N Voted |
% Voted |
|
|
2002 |
88,903,000 | 69.4% | 1,483,000 | 75.1% | 94,417 | 50.0% |
|
2004 |
125,736,000 | 88.5% | 2,097,000 | 90.9% | 146,908 | 91.2% |
|
2006 |
96,119,000 | 70.8% | 1,730,000 | 76.0% | 115,133 | 74.6% |
|
2008 |
131,144,000 | 89.6% | 2,308,000 | 97.4% | 167,227 | 92.0% |
Voting Methods Used - Larimer County
|
2002 |
2004 |
2006 |
2008 |
|||||
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|
|
Provisional |
797 | 0.8% | 1,798 | 1.2% | 1,262 | 1.1% | 3,159 | 1.9% |
|
Precinct |
48,919 | 51.8% | 52,481 | 36.1% | 42,203 | 36.8% | 25,155 | 15.0% |
|
Absentee |
45,560 | 48.2% | 92,833 | 63.9% | 71,372 | 62.2% | 138,978 | 83.1% |
Affiliations of Registered Voters - Larimer County 2000-2008
|
Republicans |
Democrats |
Other |
||||
|
N |
Percent |
N |
Percent |
N |
Percent |
|
|
2002 |
75,706 | 40.2% | 48,035 | 25.5% | 63,367 | 33.7% |
|
2004 |
78,087 | 39.0% | 52,288 | 26.1% |
68,565 |
34.3% |
|
2006 |
74,739 | 38.0% | 51,582 | 26.3% | 68,923 | 35.1% |
|
2008 |
74,453 | 35.3% | 60,363 | 28.6% | 74,431 | 35.3% |