By the end of the year, more than 4 billion people across 40 different countries will have had the chance to cast a vote — though the impact of those votes may vary. There have been shock results, voter turnouts setting records high and low, and Russian President Vladimir Putin seemingly getting more and more popular. Enjoy the first in a series of Paint by Numbers on the biggest year for democracy the world has ever seen.
United States presidential election — November 4, 2024
US President Joe Biden’s highest lead over Donald Trump in an aggregate of national polls: 0.3% (June 22, 2024)
Date of the first presidential debate: June 27
Date of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump: July 13
Trump’s lead over Biden as of July 21: 3.2%
Trump’s lead over Biden in the crucial battleground state of Michigan as of July 21: 7%
Money raised by Vice President Kamala Harris in the first 24 hours after Biden’s withdrawal and his endorsement of her for the Democratic nominee: US$81 million (A$121.9 million)
Indian general elections — April-May, 2024
Total votes cast: 640 million
Voter turnout in the disputed Himalayan territory of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019: 37%
Voter turnout in Kashmir and Jammu 2024: 58.5%, highest in 35 years
Seat lost by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party: 63
Russian presidential election — March 17, 2024
Vote share for Russian President Vladimir Putin: 87.28%
Vote share for Putin in 2018: 76.69%
Vote share for Putin in 2012: 64%
Vote Share for Putin in 2000: 53.44%
Years Joseph Stalin led Russia: 29
Years Putin will have served as president or prime minister of Russia if he serves his full term: 31
United Kingdom general election — July 4, 2024
Increase in vote for Labour in the UK between 2019 and 2024: 1.7%
Increase in seats for Labour in the UK between 2019 and 2024: 209
Voter turnout in 2019: 67.3%
Voter turnout in 2024: 59.9% (the lowest since 2001)
France legislative election (second round) — July 7, 2024
Number of seats far-right parties were projected to win in the second round of the French election: 260-310
Voter turnout for the second round: 63%
Last time turnout was that high for the second round: 1981
Number of seats the far right actually won: 143
South Africa general election — May 29, 2024
Vote share received by the ruling African National Congress (ANC): 40.18%
The last time the ANC failed to secure at least 50% of the vote: 1989 (the party was banned)
South African voter turnout: 58.64% (the lowest since the end of apartheid)
