To determine which of the given statements is true based on the provided voter turnout data, we need to analyze the voter turnout numbers and percentages for each election year.
Here is the data for reference:
| Election Year | Voter Turnout Numbers | Voter Turnout Percentage |
|---------------|-----------------------|--------------------------|
| 2016 | 137,537 | 56% |
| 2012 | 132,948 | 56.5% |
| 2008 | 131,144 | 58.2% |
| 2004 | 125,736 | 58.3% |
Let's break down each statement to check its validity:
1. As time goes on, the voter turnout percentage has gone down.
To verify this, we need to check the trend of voter turnout percentages from 2004 to 2016.
- 2004: 58.3%
- 2008: 58.2% (decrease from 2004)
- 2012: 56.5% (decrease from 2008)
- 2016: 56% (decrease from 2012)
Since the voter turnout percentage has continuously decreased from 2004 to 2016, this statement is true.
2. As time goes on, the voter turnout percentage has gone up.
For this statement to be true, the voter turnout percentage should consistently increase from one election year to the next.
- From 2004 to 2008, there is a decrease.
- From 2008 to 2012, there is a decrease.
- From 2012 to 2016, there is a decrease.
Since there is a consistent decrease, this statement is false.
3. More people voted in 2004 than in 2008 (look at turnout numbers -- not percentage).
Comparing the voter turnout numbers:
- 2004: 125,736
- 2008: 131,144
Since more people voted in 2008 (131,144) than in 2004 (125,736), this statement is false.
4. The highest voter turnout (not percentage) was in 2012.
Let's compare the voter turnout numbers for each year:
- 2016: 137,537
- 2012: 132,948
- 2008: 131,144
- 2004: 125,736
The highest voter turnout was in 2016 (137,537), not in 2012 (132,948), thus making this statement false.
Summary:
- The statement "As time goes on, the voter turnout percentage has gone down." is true.
- The statements "As time goes on, the voter turnout percentage has gone up.", "More people voted in 2004 than in 2008 (look at turnout numbers -- not percentage).", and "The highest voter turnout (not percentage) was in 2012." are false.
Therefore, the correct answer is that the statement about the voter turnout percentage going down over time is true.
