Final answer:
The voting trend among Florida residents since 1996 shows a modest increase in voter turnout, with rates climbing back up after a low in 1996. This trend is accompanied by higher turnout among older voters and women, and is influenced by factors like disenfranchisement laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The trend of voting among Florida residents since 1996, as indicated by the data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, shows a gradual increase in voter turnout.
After reaching a low in 1996 with 50.7%, the percentage of voting-age residents in Florida who voted increased to 51.6% in 2000, followed by a more pronounced increase to 56.1% in 2004 and 56.5% in 2008.
The data does not include figures beyond 2008, but based on this period, the trend suggests a rebound and modest rise in electoral participation among Florida's voting-age population.
Voting trends can be influenced by various factors, including demographic changes, political mobilization efforts, voter registration laws, and the salience of elections.
According to the provided sources, voter turnout rates vary by age group, with older Americans typically voting at higher rates than younger citizens.
Moreover, gender has also played a role historically, with women turning out in high numbers - in 2016, more women voted than men. Additionally, disenfranchisement due to felony convictions has affected voter turnout in Florida, where a significant portion of the population has been ineligible to vote.