COUNTY LIFE
How does U.S. voter turnout compare to the world?
by Niall McCarthy, Nov 3, 2020, statista
Early voting in the U.S. has reached record levels and around 100 million votes have now been cast ahead of election day, according to the U.S. Elections Project, a nonpartisan website run by University of Florida professor Michael McDonald. That’s more than two-thirds the total number of votes cast in 2016 and it now looks highly likely that total voter turnout will be higher than the previous record set four years ago. This year’s historic trend has been driven by the coronavirus pandemic as well as surging voter enthusiasm.
As millions of Amerians prepare to cast their vote today, how does U.S. turnout compare with other countries around the world? While turnout among registered U.S. voters is traditionally high, it trails other nations when turnout is measured as a share of the voting-age population. 139 million people voted in the 2016 election when Donald Trump unexpectedly beat Hillary Clinton and turnout among the voting-age population was just under 56 percent, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
That is far behind Belgium which had a high turnout of 78 percent in its most recent election. However, it must be pointed out that the country has a system of compulsory voting, consistently resulting in high turnout figures. Many countries without such a system also experience high voting volumes with Sweden a notable example with 82 percent in 2018. South Korea also had an impressive turnout of 66.5 percent in its legislative elections earlier this year.
Members of the Saint Jo City Council will meet in regular session beginning at 6 p.m. on June 17 in the Saint Jo Civic Center.
Items on the agenda include the following: Public comments, discuss and approve the proposed 2026-2027 budget of the Montague County Tax Appraisal District; call the 2026 municipal election; consider resolution to apply for grants for water infrastructure through Corlett, Probst, Boyd; review minutes and monthly financials and reports from committee and department heads.
Members of the Montague 4-H STEM Club shot off basic rockets as they were sent skyward on May 30. Each youngster had packed their own rocket, went through safety meetings and then set up their rocket for lift-off. Club Coordinators Tammie and Pete Rohde made sure all the safety protocols were followed by all the youngsters saw their rocket fly skyward before they ran to retrieve them to pack for a second go. See more photos in Thursday’s Bowie News. (News photo by Barbara Green)
(News photo by Barbara Green)
The Bellevue Ex-Student’s annual reunion will be on June 13 at the high school gym.
Events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts after registration. Visitation will continued until the scheduled events of the day.
Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. by the FFA Alumni at a cost of $15, The reunion is the school gym which is currently receiving a make-over.
The Wall of Honor ceremonies will introduce and place this year’s new inductees on the wall. Other activities including door prizes, drawings and auction of several items including two baseball gloves and other memorabilia, adding to a fun-filled day.
Association members will conduct a short business meeting and recipients of the Ex-Student scholarships for 2026 will be recognized. Empty desks and class roll attendees also will be acknowledged.
All persons who have ever attended Bellevue high School and their families are invited to attend. All funds raised will go to the scholarship awarded in 2027 for Bellevue seniors.
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