In 2016, Gen X Had 57 Million Eligible Voters, Compared With About 70 Million Boomers and 62 Million Millennials
The Fact
Pew Research Center's analysis of Census data found that in 2016 there were about 70 million eligible voters among Baby Boomers (31% of the electorate), about 62 million Millennials (27%), and 57 million Gen Xers (25%). The Boomer electorate peaked at 73 million in 2004.
What This Means
Gen X entered adulthood behind the largest voting generation in U.S. history and was soon passed in size by Millennials.
Why It Matters
Gen X voted at higher rates than Millennials (61% vs. 50% in 2008) but did not have the numbers to set the direction alone.
Sources
Pew Research Center. “Millennials Approach Baby Boomers as America's Largest Generation in the Electorate,” Apr. 3, 2018. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/04/03/millennials-approach-baby-boomers-as-largest-generation-in-u-s-electorate/