WHAT AFFECTS VOTER TURNOUT?

TLDR

Voter turnout varies across countries and elections and changes over time, raising questions about the factors that drive these differences. The essay evaluates empirical support for propositions explaining turnout variation, identifies ambiguous findings, and proposes future research directions. The authors review Powell and Jackman’s pioneering work and subsequent studies, focusing mainly on established democracies while also including analyses of non‑established ones.

Abstract

▪ Abstract Why is turnout higher in some countries and/or in some elections than in others? Why does it increase or decrease over time? To address these questions, I start with the pioneer studies of Powell and Jackman and then review more recent research. This essay seeks to establish which propositions about the causes of variations in turnout are consistently supported by empirical evidence and which ones remain ambiguous. I point out some enigmas and gaps in the field and suggest directions for future research. Most of the research pertains to established democracies, but analyses of nonestablished democracies are also included here.