Election results as % of VAP, 1980-2012

[Antonio the Sixth]

Since we've got this, it's pretty easy to make some maps factoring in turnout in a candidate's performance. I chose VAP rather than VEP because the difference in eligibility laws could bias the results.

I'll start with an evolution of the Democratic vote from 1980-2012 (interesting fact: in every election from 1984 to 2008, the dem % of VAP has systematically increased - 2012 was the first to reverse the trend, though even there Obama did better than any of his predecessors since LBJ).

I used increments of 5%, so shades are worth half of their normal Atlas values (>20% is >10%, >70% is >35%, etc.).

1980:

1984:

1988:

1992:

1996:

2000:

2004:

2008:

2012:

[Antonio the Sixth]

Related chart:

[Antonio the Sixth]

...so nobody cares?

[Antonio the Sixth]

...OK

[Antonio the Sixth]

I just don't really understand the maps. So this is measuring turnout as a factor in the Democratic candidate's performance? I'm just a little lost, sorry.

It's exactly what it says on the tin: the candidate's vote divided by the voting age population. So yeah, you could say it measures turnout as a factor in the Democratic candidate's performance.