Voting is a key form of civic engagement and contributes to the shaping of public policy and more vibrant communities. In general, voter participation is higher in years with presidential elections than other years. Historically, women and people of color did not have the right to vote. Increases in voter participation among historically disenfranchised voters can be an important step towards more equitable policies.
In the 2020 presidential election, St. Tammany Parish experienced the highest voter turnout at 75 percent, followed by Plaquemines Parish and Tangipahoa Parish at 73 percent and 70 percent, respectively. Jefferson and Washington parishes both had voter participation rates of 69 percent. Voter participation was only 66 percent in both Orleans Parish and St. Bernard Parish.
