Based on the table data, what conclusion can you draw about election-day registration in states where it was an option?

A. It helped to increase voter turnout.
B. It slightly lowered voter turnout.
C. It was an option in more states in 2008.
D. It will be adopted by more states in 2012.

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
\multicolumn{2}{|c|}{States with Election-Day Registration} \\
\hline
2008 & [tex]$72\%$[/tex] \\
\hline
2012 & [tex]$65\%$[/tex] \\
\hline
\multicolumn{2}{|c|}{States without Election-Day Registration} \\
\hline
2008 & [tex]$62\%$[/tex] \\
\hline
2012 & [tex]$58\%$[/tex] \\
\hline
\end{tabular}



Answer :

To determine the impact of Election-Day Registration on voter turnout, we need to analyze the changes in voter turnout percentages between the years 2008 and 2012 for both states with and without Election-Day Registration.

Given:
- Voter turnout with Election-Day Registration (EDR) in 2008: 72%
- Voter turnout with Election-Day Registration (EDR) in 2012: 65%
- Voter turnout without Election-Day Registration (Non-EDR) in 2008: 62%
- Voter turnout without Election-Day Registration (Non-EDR) in 2012: 58%

Steps to analyze the data:

1. Calculate the change in voter turnout for states with Election-Day Registration (EDR):
[tex]\[ \text{Change}_\text{EDR} = \text{Voter turnout in 2012} - \text{Voter turnout in 2008} \][/tex]
Substituting the given numbers:
[tex]\[ \text{Change}_\text{EDR} = 65\% - 72\% = -7\% \][/tex]
This indicates a 7 percentage point decrease in voter turnout from 2008 to 2012 in states with Election-Day Registration.

2. Calculate the change in voter turnout for states without Election-Day Registration (Non-EDR):
[tex]\[ \text{Change}_\text{Non-EDR} = \text{Voter turnout in 2012} - \text{Voter turnout in 2008} \][/tex]
Substituting the given numbers:
[tex]\[ \text{Change}_\text{Non-EDR} = 58\% - 62\% = -4\% \][/tex]
This indicates a 4 percentage point decrease in voter turnout from 2008 to 2012 in states without Election-Day Registration.

3. Compare the changes in voter turnout between states with and without Election-Day Registration:
[tex]\[ \text{Change}_\text{EDR} = -7\% \quad \text{vs} \quad \text{Change}_\text{Non-EDR} = -4\% \][/tex]
Since [tex]\(\text{Change}_\text{EDR} (-7\%)\)[/tex] is less than [tex]\(\text{Change}_\text{Non-EDR} (-4\%)\)[/tex], the drop in voter turnout is slightly greater in states with Election-Day Registration.

Conclusion:
Based on the comparison of the changes in voter turnout percentages, we can conclude that Election-Day Registration slightly lowered voter turnout. The most appropriate choice from the given options is:
- It slightly lowered voter turnout.