The partisan divide over voting rights, by the numbers | The Numbers Racket

With voters set to cast their ballots on Election Day tomorrow, let’s take a look at Americans’ views of voting rights. 

A study conducted by the Pew Research Center from July 8-18, 2021 found that Americans were split along partisan lines over whether voting is a right or a privilege. 

While more than half (57 percent) of Americans said voting was “a fundamental right for every adult U.S. citizen and should not be restricted in any way,” 42 percent said “voting is a privilege that comes with responsibilities and can be limited if adult U.S. citizens don’t meet some requirements.”

The gap was much larger by party, Pew found. 

In fact, 67 percent of Republicans or those who lean Republican said that voting was a privilege compared to just 21 percent of Democrats or those who lean Democratic who said the same. 

Similarly, 78 percent of Democrats, or those who lean Democratic, said that voting was a fundamental right compared to just 32 percent of Republicans, or those who lean Republican, who said the same. 

Despite the party divide on the perception of voting, nearly all Americans – 94 percent – said that “it is important that people who are legally qualified to vote are able to cast a ballot.” 

Additionally, 82 percent of Americans surveyed said that it was “very important.”

But views on voting also differed by demographics, according to Pew. 

Percentage of Americans by race and ethnicity who say voting is a ‘fundamental right’:

White … 51 percent

Black …. 77 percent

Hispanic … 63 percent

Asian … 66 percent 

Percentage of Americans by race and ethnicity who say voting is a ‘privilege’:

White … 48 percent

Black … 21 percent

Hispanic … 35 percent

Asian … 34 percent

Percentage of Americans by age range who say voting is a ‘fundamental right’:

Ages 18-29 … 64 percent

Ages 30-49 … 60 percent

Ages 50-64 … 52 percent

Ages 65 and older … 51 percent

Percentage of Americans by age range who say voting is a ‘privilege’:

Ages 18-29 … 36 percent 

Ages 30-49 … 39 percent

Ages 50-64 … 47 percent

Ages 65 and older … 47 percent