Journal article
The Educative Effects of Ballot Initiatives on Voter Turnout
American Politics Research, Vol.33(2), pp.283-309
03/2005
DOI: 10.1177/1532673X04271904
Abstract
Scholars have begun examining what Progressive reformers called the educative effects of direct democracy, especially the effect ballot initiatives have on voter turnout. Research based on aggregate-level voter age population (VAP) turnout data indicates that ballot measures increase turnout in low-information midterm elections but not in presidential elections. We analyze the impact of ballot initiative use on voter turnout from 1980 through 2002 using voter eligible population (VEP) turnout rates. Cross-sectional time-series analysis reveals that (a) ballot initiatives increase turnout in midterm as well as presidential elections and (b) the turnout effect in midterm and especially presidential elections is considerably larger than previously thought. On average, turnout in presidential elections increases by 0.70% with each initiative on the ballot, whereas turnout in midterm elections increases by 1.7%, all else equal. Given the closeness of the Electoral College contests, it is possible that the mobilizing effects of statewide ballot questions could be the determining factor in future presidential elections.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Educative Effects of Ballot Initiatives on Voter Turnout
- Creators
- Caroline J Tolbert - Kent State UniversityDaniel A Smith - University of Florida
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American Politics Research, Vol.33(2), pp.283-309
- Publisher
- Sage Publications; Thousand Oaks, CA
- DOI
- 10.1177/1532673X04271904
- ISSN
- 1532-673X
- eISSN
- 1552-3373
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2005
- Academic Unit
- Political Science; Public Policy Center (Archive); Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9983989277102771
Metrics
20 Record Views