(March 31, 2025) — Today, the National Vote at Home Institute (NVAHI) issued a research paper examining turnout in the 2024 primary election cycle. In addition to documenting the abysmal overall turnout – with more than four in five voters not participating – the report found that Universal Vote at Home (VAH) states produced nearly double the turnout rate of non-Vote at Home states in primary elections. 

In regular State Primary Elections, where voters chose Republican and Democratic party nominees for the November general election, only 44 million of an estimated 235 million eligible citizens cast ballots, or less than 1 in 5. In contrast, in Universal Vote at Home states, where every active registered voter is automatically delivered a ballot, aggregate primary election turnout levels were approximately double those in traditional  site based/polling-place states. In these jurisdictions, the combined turnout was 30% of eligible citizens and 34% of registered voters, compared to 16% and 19% in non-VAH states. This super minority of voters determine the results of primary races that are now so important that they effectively choose an estimated 90% of winners for top federal and state offices.

“There’s arguably no simpler or more powerful approach  to dramatically boost participation in these critical elections than adopting the “Vote at Home” election system now used in eight states and the District of Columbia,” noted Phil Keisling, former Oregon Secretary of State and chief author of the report.

The NVAHI analysis also revealed that the median age of 2024 primary voters nationwide was 65. Voters 65 and older had a six-times higher turnout rate (36%) than those aged 18-34, who had just a 6% turnout. VAH states consistently showed higher voter turnout across all age groups.

“This report is the latest in a long line of evidence of how Vote at Home transforms elections. By delivering ballots directly to the voter, VAH states center the voter in the election process,” said NVAHI Executive Director Barbara Smith Warner. “Voting at home benefits all voters, regardless of party, but is particularly impactful for disabled people, younger voters and those in rural communities. Vote at Home means elections that are safe, secure and accessible to all.”

Read the Executive Summary and Full Report.

About National Vote At Home Institute

The National Vote at Home Institute is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that aims to increase voters’ access to, use of, and confidence in voting at home, in which voters receive mailed-out paper ballots; return them either by postage-free mail or in-person to a wide range of accessible, convenient, and secure locations; and can track them online, in real-time, to ensure their vote is counted.

National Vote at Home Institute —The National Vote at Home Institute is closely monitoring this week’s election-related executive order and working alongside state advocates to assess its potential impact. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protect every citizen’s right to vote in the way that best suits them, as well as upholding the constitutional authority of states to establish and oversee their own election processes.

Americans have utilized some form of mail-in voting for over 100 years. This order mandates that only ballots received by the close of polls on Election Day (except for military and overseas ballots) can be counted, threatening to disenfranchise thousands of working families, rural residents, disabled voters and seniors. This order would unilaterally overturn laws in 15 states and the District of Columbia which allow ballots that are postmarked by Election Day to be counted when they are received within a designated grace period. One of the strengths of American elections is its decentralized system. This attempt to unilaterally overturn state election laws is not only a violation of states’ rights but is also likely to face significant legal challenges.

Beyond its legal overreach, this order threatens to disrupt well-established election procedures, create unnecessary confusion for voters who rely on mail ballot options, and impose financial and logistical burdens on states already managing complex election operations and budget constraints. Elections are already underway in communities across America. By forcing abrupt changes, it risks undermining election officials’ ability to conduct elections in a manner that best serves their voters.

Despite this and other attempts to undermine Vote at Home and sow confusion and distrust in our elections, the National Vote at Home Institute will continue our work to support state election administrators, champion policies that protect and expand voter access, and ensure that Vote at Home elections stay safe, secure and accessible to all.