The solid performance of Democrats in the midterms last night was in part a product of their ability to galvanize voters across the country who would have usually stayed home. Turnout among eligible voters is projected to have hit 47.3 percent, the highest level for any midterm election since 1970. But compared to the number of voters who come out for presidential elections, last night’s participation remains staggeringly low. Here’s a snapshot of US voters’ participation in presidential and midterm elections over the past 50 years.
