Final answer:
The 1980 election witnessed historically low turnout, with only 52 percent of eligible voters participating. The electorate consisted mainly of older, White voters, and Reagan's victory signified a conservative shift in American politics, assisted by support from the New Right and Evangelical Christians.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1980 U.S. Presidential Election
The 1980 election marked a significant shift in American politics. Voter turnout during the election was historically low, with only 52 percent of eligible voters going to the polls, which was the lowest since 1948. The demographic of the voters was predominantly older and Whiter. The election not only brought Ronald Reagan into the presidency but also resulted in a Republican majority in the Senate. Reagan's victory was characterized by the political power of the New Right and the support he gained from Evangelical Christians, which were a sharp contrast to those who had supported Carter in 1976. Despite the landslide win, it's noted that only a quarter of Americans of voting age cast ballots for Reagan, signifying a potent mix of apathy and dissatisfaction with the Carter administration.
The low voter turnout may have been influenced by a variety of factors including political disillusionment with the Carter presidency and the rising conservatism signaled by the New Right movement. The result of the election was seen as a referendum on Carter's presidency and demonstrated the influence of conservative ideology leading into the Reagan era.