Voter turnout numbers push past 2012

The United States Election Project said Monday night that 2016 voter turnout was 59.1 percent, up from 58.6 percent in 2012.

1/ With 18 states to go (and many of these are near final): the 2016 turnout rate is 59.1%, up from 2012’s 58.6%

— Michael McDonald (@ElectProject) December 6, 2016

2/ Twist is likely a higher percentage of write-in and presidential abstentions. Turnout rate for president votes may be lower than 2012

— Michael McDonald (@ElectProject) December 6, 2016

Michael McDonald, an Associate Professor at the University of Florida who specializes in American elections, tweeted that with 18 states left to compile final results, the overall turnout rate is up.

“Twist is likely a higher percentage of write-in and presidential abstentions. Turnout rate for president votes may be lower than 2012,” he added on Twitter.