American Political Science Review · 1978 · 278 citations · 12 references
Social SciencesDemographyPolitical ScienceCensus AnalysisElection LawElectoral PoliticsElectionsElectoral TurnoutTurnout DeterminantsVoter BehaviorVoter RegistrationVoting BehaviorDeadlinesDemographic Determinants Of TurnoutLimited RegistrationRegistration BarriersRegistration ObstaclesVoter Registration ReformVoter Turnout EffectsVoting Turnout
Although voter registration was relaxed in the 1960s, it remains uncertain whether contemporary state laws still deter turnout. The study seeks to quantify how specific registration provisions affect turnout among different demographic groups. Using 1972 Current Population Survey data, the authors examined the impact of state registration laws on turnout. State registration laws cut 1972 presidential turnout by about nine percentage points, with the largest effects in the South and among less educated voters; early deadlines and limited office hours were the biggest barriers, yet altering these rules would only slightly shift the electorate’s composition, producing a modest one‑to‑two‑percentage‑point change in affluence and education and a less than 0.5% advantage for Democrats.
After the drastic relaxation of voter registration requirements in the 1960s, do present state laws keep people away from the polls? More specifically, which provisions have how much effect on what kinds of people? We have answered these questions with data from the Current Population Survey conducted by the Census Bureau in November 1972. State registration laws reduced turnout in the 1972 presidential election by about nine percentage points. The impact of the laws was heaviest in the South and on less educated people of both races. Early deadlines for registration and limited registration office hours were the biggest impediments to turnout. Contrary to expectations, changing these requirements would not substantially alter the character of the electorate. The voting population would be faintly less affluent and educated; the biggest difference would be a matter of one or two percentage points. In strictly political terms, the change would be even fainter–a gain for the Democrats of less than half a percent.
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An Economic Theory of Democracy.
Edward C. Banfield, Anthony J. Downs · Midwest Journal of Political Science · 1958 · 18.9K citations
E. J. Hannan, Henri Theil · Technometrics · 1973 · 3.2K citations