[Paleo Conservative]

In 1789 I think there were only two states that had a popular vote to choose electors. All the other states the electors were chosen by the state legislatures.

[ChuxsterS]

You may want to check out www.uselectionatlas.org.

They give percent of voting-age population which actually turned out, state by state, for the last several presidental elections (cryptically labeled "% VAP").

The percent turnout data doesn't go back before 1960, but it does go back before "motor voter". Also - somewhere on the site, he discusses the sources he used to assemble the data. That might point you to other sources, if interested.