Voter registration and turnout in 2012: who registers and who votes

In the first round of the 2012 presidential election, 93% of French citizens of voting age residing in metropolitan France (mainland + Corsica) were registered to vote. The percentage of registered voters was lowest among young people (particularly males and persons with one parent born abroad), persons with low educational attainment, inhabitants of urban clusters, and French citizens born abroad. Thirteen percent of registered voters abstained in both rounds of the election. Despite their very high registration rate, the oldest voters largely abstained. Young people and persons with low educational attainment, who make up a smaller proportion of registered voters, also display a higher abstention rate. Once registered, French voters born abroad turn out to vote in the same proportion as those born in France. Twelve percent of registered voters did not vote in either the presidential or the legislative elections in 2012, a proportion two points higher than in 2007. In all, one out of five French persons of voting age and residing in France did not take part in any national election in 2012.