Voter turnout as % of VEP (voter eligible population)
as calculated by
http://www.electproject.org/home/voter-turnout/voter-turnout-data1980
66.6%1982 55.8%
1984
64.3%1986 43.5%
1988
63.4%1990 42.2%
1992
67.5%1994 42.7%
1996
52.1%1998 36.7%
2000
54.8%2002 37.8%
2004
59.8%2006 35.0%
2008
57.1%2010 36.8%
2012
56.1%2014 30.3%
2016
57.9%In the 1980s, Utah was one of the highest in voter participation. This is what one might expect given Utah's high level of education, religious attendance, and political culture with Yankee / Upper Midwestern roots.
But then a significant drop in the mid-90s. Why?
Most surprising of all, according to these figures the 2012 election, featuring Mitt Romney, was the lowest! I can see how the presence of a 3rd candidate with appeal there in 2016 may have boosted turnout, as it did in 1992 .. but still, why so much lower than one would expect in 2012?
Does this have to do with migration or other demographic changes? Perhaps a disenchantment with the political process?