Fact check: What was the voter turnout in Illinois for the 2024 presidential election?

1. Summary of the results

The official voter turnout in Illinois for the 2024 presidential election was 70.42% of registered voters ^{[1] [2]}. This translates to 5,705,246 voters participating out of 8,101,424 registered voters ^[2]. However, there appears to be a discrepancy in the data, as one source reports the turnout as 59.6% ^[3], while the majority of sources consistently report 70.42%.

The 2024 turnout represents a decline from 2020's 72.92% turnout, which was the highest since 1992 ^[1]. This makes 2024 the lowest voter turnout for a presidential election since 2012 and the fourth lowest since 1976 ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important contextual information that helps understand the significance of the turnout numbers:

• Historical comparison: The 2024 turnout represents a notable decline from recent high-participation elections, particularly 2020's record-high turnout ^[1]
• Geographic variations: Chicago specifically experienced near record-low numbers at 67.9% of registered voters casting ballots ^[3]
• Long-term trends: The 2024 turnout ranks as the fourth lowest since 1976, indicating this was not just a minor dip but a significant decrease in civic participation ^[2]
• National context: The question doesn't address whether this decline was part of a broader national trend or specific to Illinois

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is straightforward and factual, seeking specific voter turnout data without apparent bias. However, there are conflicting figures in the source analyses that could lead to confusion:

• Most sources consistently report 70.42% turnout ^{[1] [2]}
• One source reports 59.6% turnout ^[3], which represents a significant discrepancy

This discrepancy suggests either different methodologies for calculating turnout (registered voters vs. eligible population) or potential reporting errors. The 70.42% figure appears more reliable as it's consistently reported across multiple official sources and includes specific raw numbers for verification ^[2].