In the race to secure their parties' nominations for the White House, both President Biden and former president Donald Trump emerged victorious, but the voter turnout in the primaries has left some analysts worried about the upcoming general election. A recent analysis by The Washington Post revealed that only about 10 percent of eligible voters nationwide participated in the primary nominating contests that led to the selection of Biden and Trump as the nominees.

This year's primary elections saw significantly lower turnout compared to previous years, even considering that primary contests typically attract fewer voters than general elections. In both 2016 and 2020, approximately 15 percent of eligible voters participated in the primaries and caucuses in the states that have voted so far. Although the final percentage of eligible voters who participated in this year's nominating contests is expected to slightly increase as states like California continue to count ballots, it is anticipated to still fall behind the turnout of 2016 and 2020.

Several factors likely contributed to the low voter turnout this year. One significant factor was the perception that it was a "foregone conclusion" that Biden would secure the Democratic nomination, while polls consistently showed Trump as the dominant figure in the Republican field. The lack of competition and suspense generally dampens voter enthusiasm and engagement.

Deb Otis, the research and policy director for FairVote, a nonpartisan group advocating for ranked-choice voting to encourage greater participation, expressed concern about the low turnout. She emphasized that the limited participation does not accurately represent the views of the entire country.

Turnout in the primaries is often influenced by the level of competition among candidates. When elections are highly competitive, voter participation tends to be higher. In 2016, both the Republican and Democratic primaries featured vigorous contests with numerous candidates vying for their party's nomination. Trump, for instance, did not secure a majority of delegates until late May that year. The 2020 Democratic primary was similarly crowded, with Biden clinching the nomination in early June.

Other factors that potentially contributed to the lower turnout in this year's primaries include severe weather conditions, such as dangerous blizzards in Iowa during the GOP caucuses, and the lack of real competition in some states like Nevada, where only Haley's name appeared on the Republican primary ballot.

Despite efforts by certain states, such as Georgia, to elevate their importance in the nominating process by changing their contest dates, turnout remained lackluster. Experts suggest that the repetition of candidates and a sense of déjà vu from previous elections may have played a role in dampening voter enthusiasm.

Some reformers have proposed a national primary day, where all nominating contests would be held concurrently, as a means to increase voter participation. However, critics argue that this approach would eliminate the opportunity for candidates to gain momentum on a state-by-state basis, similar to Biden's successful strategy in 2020.

As the 2024 election cycle unfolds, the low turnout in the primaries underscores the importance of engaging a wider range of voters and ensuring their participation in the democratic process.