Final answer:
The statement regarding U.S. presidential election turnout is false; voter turnout has been above 70 percent in the past when considering historical data and specific populations such as voting-age population and registered voters.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, the statement that turnout in U.S. presidential elections has never been above 70 percent is incorrect. Voter turnout in the United States has varied significantly over time.
According to historical records, voter participation in presidential elections fell drastically after 1896 from highs of around 80 percent overall to lower levels in the following decades.
However, these numbers reflect different groups such as voting-age population (VAP), voting-eligible population, and registered voters. The percentages can look different, depending on which group is being considered.
It's important to contextualize these figures. While recent elections have seen lower turnout rates, with only about 62 percent of VAP voting in the presidential election of 2020, historical highs have indeed crossed the 70 percent threshold.
Additionally, participation varies widely by age, with voting rates by age groups showing a downward trend since 1964, except for those 65 and over.
Therefore, when evaluating voter turnout data, it's crucial to understand which population is referenced—whether the total population, VAP, those eligible to vote, or those registered.