Determinants of geographic differentials in the voter participation rate

Richard J. Cebula, Michael Toma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Voter participation rates vary widely across the 50 states. This empirical study seeks, within the context of a broadened version of the 'rational voter model,' to identify determinants of this interstate variation. Using the 2004 general election as the study period, it is found that the voter participation rate in a state is positively related to the percent of the state's adult population with at least a high school education, the state's unemployment rate, the percent of the state's population age 65 and older, and the female labor force participation rate in the state. In addition, it is found that voter turnout in a state is negatively related to the state's median family income and the percentage of its population that is Hispanic.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-40
Number of pages8
JournalAtlantic Economic Journal
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2006

Keywords

  • D72
  • JEL

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