Statistics and Facts

Question 1

2014 Midterm turnout

Answer 1

In 2014, Midterm turnout was 36.4%.

Question 2

2016 presidential election turnout

Answer 2

In the 2016 presidential election, turnout was 58.1%.

Question 3

Incumbent re-election

Answer 3

Over the last 50 years, incumbents have been re-elected around 80% of the time.

Question 4

Party-line voting

Answer 4

Party-line voting has increased since the 1970s, and now Congresspeople vote along party lines around 90% of the time.

Question 5

112th Congress legislation

Answer 5

In the 112th Congress (2010-2012), only 283 pieces of legislation were passed.

Question 6

118th Congress profile

Answer 6

• The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 118th Congress was 57.9 years; of Senators, 64.0 years.
• The overwhelming majority, 96%, of Members of Congress have a college education.
• One hundred fifty-five women serve in the 118th Congress: 130 in the House, including 3 Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, and 25 in the Senate.
• There are 60 African American Members of the House and 4 in the Senate. This House number includes 2 Delegates.
• There are 61 Hispanic or Latino Members serving: 56 in the House, including 2 Delegates and the Resident
  Commissioner, and 6 in the Senate.

Question 7

Public approval of major parties

Answer 7

In 2016, 6 out of 10 members of the public said they did not feel represented by either major party (Republicans or Democrats).

Question 8

Obama pardons

Answer 8

President Obama used the pardoning power 212 times.

Question 9

Obama vote 2008

Answer 9

In 2008, Obama won 52.9% of the popular vote.

Question 10

Hilary Clinton 2016 Democratic Primary fundraising

Answer 10

Hillary Clinton raised $275 million in the 2016 Democrat primary.

Question 11

ECV over-representation

Answer 11

Wyoming has one ECV for every 195,000 people whilst Texas has one ECV for every 734,000 people.

Question 12

Presidential debate viewers

Answer 12

84 million people watched the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Question 13

1984 Republican primary vote

Answer 13

Before the 1984 election President Ronald Reagan won 99% of the Republican primary vote.

Question 14

2008 African-American support

Answer 14

In 2008 support for the Democrats was particularly high with 95% of African-Americans voting for Barack Obama.

Question 15

2016 Women support

Answer 15

In 2016, 54% of women voted for Clinton, whilst 41% of women voted for Trump.