To determine which statement best describes the table of voter turnout, we need to compare the average voter turnout percentages for states with election-day registration and those without.
Step 1: Calculate the average voter turnout for states with election-day registration.
[tex]\[
\text{Average turnout for states with EDR} = \frac{\text{Turnout in 2008} + \text{Turnout in 2012}}{2}
\][/tex]
Given data:
- 2008 turnout: 72%
- 2012 turnout: 65%
[tex]\[
\text{Average turnout for states with EDR} = \frac{72 + 65}{2} = \frac{137}{2} = 68.5\%
\][/tex]
Step 2: Calculate the average voter turnout for states without election-day registration.
[tex]\[
\text{Average turnout for states without EDR} = \frac{\text{Turnout in 2008} + \text{Turnout in 2012}}{2}
\][/tex]
Given data:
- 2008 turnout: 62%
- 2012 turnout: 58%
[tex]\[
\text{Average turnout for states without EDR} = \frac{62 + 58}{2} = \frac{120}{2} = 60.0\%
\][/tex]
Step 3: Compare the average voter turnouts.
We have:
- Average turnout for states with EDR: 68.5%
- Average turnout for states without EDR: 60.0%
Based on these averages, it is clear that the average voter turnout in states with election-day registration (68.5%) is higher than in states without election-day registration (60.0%).
Conclusion: The statement that best describes the table is:
"States with election-day registration had higher turnout."
