Final answer:
Based on the patterns between 1980 and 2016, it is most accurate to infer that voter turnout in the 1998 election was highest for voters aged 65 and over and lowest for voters aged 18 to 29, with overall turnout rates having tended downward, except for the elderly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the information provided, the most accurate statement about voter turnout in the 1998 election would likely refer to general trends rather than specific age or racial demographics, as the specific year 1998 is not detailed in the given information. However, extrapolating from the trends shown, it can be inferred that in the 1998 election, the voter turnout rates were probably highest among voters aged 65 and over and lowest among voters aged 18 to 29, based on the consistent pattern observed from 1980 to 2016. Furthermore, voting rates by age groups have shown a downward trend since 1964 with the exception of the elderly who have maintained or increased their voter turnout rates over time. Additionally, the increase in turnout across all groups in more recent elections suggests a general trend in higher civic engagement.