Following the latest local election, data from Vote Idaho revealed a continuing trend: Madison County residents vote at significantly lower rates than the Idaho average.

Political science professors at BYU–Idaho say the numbers are not surprising — and not unique.

Matthew Miles, who holds a political science doctorate and has written several books on American and comparative political behavior, said Madison County mirrors broader national patterns. The U.S., he noted, has lower voter participation than many other countries.

“One reason is that we require people to register to vote,” Miles said. “But more than 90% of registered voters in the U.S. do turn out. You see a similar pattern in countries like Luxembourg.”

Trent Rose, a BYU–Idaho professor with a doctorate in political science from Idaho State University, said Madison County’s turnout reflects its demographics. According to 2025 U.S. Census data, 33% of the county’s population is between ages 20 and 29, and 74% is between ages 18 and 24.

Rose said many young adults in the area do not vote because they view themselves as transient and disconnected from the community.

“Most people move eight to nine times in their lifetime,” Rose said. “Mobility is normal.”

He encourages students to consider civic engagement in broader terms.

“Teaching kids to read, volunteering locally — any form of positive community involvement is civil engagement,” he said.

In rural college towns like Rexburg, where students outnumber long-term residents, low turnout among young voters is expected. But Madison County’s recent numbers show movement in the opposite direction.

The county’s 2024 primary election recorded an increase in voter turnout.

A bond proposal for a new police station appeared on the November ballot, which may have motivated more local voters. Growing BYU–Idaho enrollment could also be contributing to greater student participation.

Turnout also improved compared with the 2024 presidential election, when Madison County, with fewer than 70% of registered voters casting ballots, had the lowest voter turnout in Idaho, according to VoteIdaho.gov.

Rose said local and state officials have taken important steps to make voting accessible, noting that Idaho counties have done a “fantastic job” with reliable resources such as same-day voter registration.

While Madison County still trails the state average, recent elections show incremental improvement — a sign that voter participation, though historically low, is beginning to rise.