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 :

Let's analyze the given data in detail to understand the impact of Election-Day Registration (EDR) on voter turnout.

1. Voter Turnout in States with EDR:
- In 2008: 72%
- In 2012: 65%

2. Voter Turnout in States without EDR:
- In 2008: 62%
- In 2012: 58%

3. Calculating the Change in Turnout:
- Change in turnout in states with EDR from 2008 to 2012:
[tex]\[ 65\% - 72\% = -7\% \][/tex]

- Change in turnout in states without EDR from 2008 to 2012:
[tex]\[ 58\% - 62\% = -4\% \][/tex]

4. Analyzing the Changes:
- In states with EDR, the voter turnout decreased by 7 percentage points.
- In states without EDR, the voter turnout decreased by 4 percentage points.

The conclusion we can draw from this data is based on the observed changes. Since the decrease in voter turnout is greater in states with EDR (7%) compared to states without EDR (4%), this indicates that the presence of Election-Day Registration did not prevent a decline in voter turnout and instead, the decline was slightly more pronounced in these states.

Therefore, the most accurate conclusion we can draw is:
- It slightly lowered voter turnout.