Rowan, yes, those are US elections. I was having trouble with my computer wanting to crash so I went ahead and 'sent' it- didn't really expect that it would go through. Didn't want to do all that work again. :)

This chart starts with 1960, you'll note, the year that Kennedy was elected, a higher rate of voting than 'normal'.

Inbetween elections - two years later - are not presidential elections and you will notice that they are even more scantily addressed. The stats given here are Federal elections but on local and state levels to have a 20some% of participation is not unknown.

Our record is horrendous, of course. I wonder if one could say that in years when voters are rare are years that the citizens are fairly content? And that the converse is true- when there is controversy - there is heavier participation? That would be the kindest interpretation.

But 60% cannot be considered a decent turnout- and even that percentage is rare.

Take note too that a great many people are not registered to vote. It is an embarrassment.