State Contributes to Highest National Turnout in 40 Years

DES MOINES – A new report shows Iowa as among those states with the highest turnout in the 2008 General Election.

According to George Mason University’s United States Elections Project, Iowa ranks fifth in the nation.

“Iowans should be proud we are among the top states in the nation in turnout,” said Secretary of State Michael A. Mauro. “This continues our state’s long legacy of having an informed and engaged electorate.”

Along with Iowa, several Upper Midwestern states rounded out the top of the list this election: Minnesota ranked first followed by Wisconsin, Maine, New Hampshire and Iowa.

In Iowa, more people voted in this election than any in the history of our state. An all-time record 1.54 million people participated in this year’s general election – nearly 25,000 more than four years ago (1.52 million).

The university’s report shows, nationally, more voters (131 million) voted in this election than any other past presidential election.

For more on the report and its methodology, visit http://elections.gmu.edu/.

Official 2008 General Election results can be viewed on the Secretary of State’s Web site, by visiting www.sos.state.ia.us.

###