Fact check: What were the voter turnout numbers in swing states during the 2024 election?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, specific voter turnout numbers for individual swing states during the 2024 election are largely missing from the sources examined. However, some key findings emerge:

The average turnout in the seven presidential battleground states was 70% in 2024 ^[1], which was notably higher than the national average. The overall national voter turnout was 63.7% of eligible voters ^[1], with 64% of the voting-age population participating according to another source ^[2]. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that 65.3% of the citizen voting-age population actually voted ^[3].

Interestingly, there was a partisan turnout gap: Trump's 2020 voters turned out at a higher rate (89%) compared to Biden's 2020 voters (85%) ^[2]. States won by Trump had an average turnout of 63.4%, while states won by Harris averaged 66.4% turnout ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal significant gaps in swing state-specific data. While we know that Trump's gains in each of the seven swing states were smaller than the national figure ^[4], the sources don't provide individual turnout percentages for crucial battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Mail-in voting patterns varied significantly across states, which could impact turnout calculations, with some swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan mentioned as having notable mail-in ballot usage ^[5]. This context is important because President Trump announced plans to eliminate mail-in voting ^[5], suggesting ongoing political battles over voting methods that could influence future turnout discussions.

The demographic composition also shifted, with Trump's 2024 voter coalition being more racially and ethnically diverse than in previous elections ^[6], indicating that turnout patterns may not follow traditional assumptions about which communities participate at higher rates.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself doesn't contain misinformation, but it assumes that comprehensive swing state turnout data is readily available and commonly reported. The analyses suggest this data may be fragmented or not centrally compiled in easily accessible formats.

There's potential for selective reporting bias in how turnout numbers are presented, as different organizations may emphasize different metrics (voting-age population vs. eligible voters vs. registered voters). Political actors could benefit from highlighting turnout figures that support their narratives about electoral legitimacy or the effectiveness of their ground operations.

The 73.6% registration rate reported by the Census Bureau ^[3] also provides important context that's often missing from turnout discussions - showing that a significant portion of eligible citizens weren't even registered to vote, which affects how turnout percentages should be interpreted.