Vibrant communities are safe, thriving, equitable, and civically engaged. Voting is a key form of civic engagement and contributes to the shaping of public policy and a more vibrant community. Voter participation is higher in years with presidential elections, in general, than other years. Historically, women and people of color did not have the right to vote. Increases in voter participation among historically disenfranchised voters can be an important step toward more equitable policies.
In the 2016 presidential election, St. Tammany Parish experienced the highest voter turnout at 72 percent followed by Plaquemines Parish at 69 percent. Jefferson, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes all had voter participation rates of 67 percent. Voter participation was only 64 percent in Orleans Parish and only 61 percent in St. Bernard Parish.
