To analyze the given table and draw the appropriate conclusions, let's break down the information step by step:
1. Voter Turnout Comparison in 2008 and 2012 for States with Same-Day Registration:
- In 2008, the voter turnout for states with same-day registration was 71%.
- In 2012, the voter turnout for states with same-day registration was also 71%.
2. Voter Turnout Comparison in 2008 and 2012 for States without Same-Day Registration:
- In 2008, the voter turnout for states without same-day registration was 62%.
- In 2012, the voter turnout for states without same-day registration was 59%.
Using these data points, we can draw the following conclusions:
1. States with Same-Day Registration vs. Without Same-Day Registration:
- In both 2008 and 2012, states with same-day registration had a higher voter turnout than states without same-day registration.
- 2008: 71% (same-day) > 62% (no same-day)
- 2012: 71% (same-day) > 59% (no same-day)
Thus, the statement "States with same-day registration had a higher voter turnout than states without same-day registration" is true.
2. Voter Turnout Comparison Between 2008 and 2012:
- For states with same-day registration, turnout was the same in both years (71%).
- For states without same-day registration, turnout was lower in 2012 (59%) than in 2008 (62%).
Therefore, the statement "More voters cast ballots in 2008 than in 2012, no matter what their state's registration policy" is false as it does not account for the consistent turnout in the same-day registration states.
3. Voter Turnout Comparability:
- Examining the data for comparability shows that there is no substantial evidence pointing towards "Voter turnout being much the same in states with and without same-day registration." Rather, the consistent higher turnout in states with same-day registration contradicts this statement.
4. Comparison of Offering Same-Day Registration:
- As we focus only on the provided voter turnout data, there is no direct information regarding the number of states offering same-day registration versus those that do not. Hence, we cannot conclude that more states offered same-day registration based on the given data.
Therefore, the best conclusion from the data given in the table is:
"States with same-day registration had a higher voter turnout than states without same-day registration."
