The story

Americans set a record for number of votes cast in this presidential election but failed to make history with the percentage of voter turnout, experts said.

Curtis Gans, director of American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate, said Thursday that percentage turnout was lower because Republicans stayed away from the polls.

Disappointment over Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, combined with a perception that the ticket would lose, prompted many would-be Republican voters to ditch the polls on Election Day, Gans said. Read full article »

CNN's Debra Alban contributed to this report.

All About Elections and VotingGeorge Mason University

Don't Miss