Individuals' attitudes toward others and their effects on voter turnout in the 2004 presidential election

Abstract

Christopher Toppe

For years, scholars have been trying to understand what influences individuals to vote- or not vote. While no scientific theory can perfectly fit each individual case, on the aggregate researchers have confirmed a number of factors that affect voter turnout. The most recent body of evidence regarding voter turnout is focused on the effects that campaign mobilization factors, such as candidate spending and electoral competition, have on influencing whether or not people show up to vote. Currently, however, there is little research on the effects that personal preferences toward others may have on voter turnout. This analysis focuses on the relative influence that these preferences, along with contextual variables, may have had on voter turnout on the 2004 presidential election. Models to predict voter turnout using a range of socioeconomic, mobilization, and other contextual variables studied whether or not voter turnout levels increased as a result of people's attitudes toward others. Using variables that categorized individuals as having strong dislikes for others or not, evidence suggests voter turnout significantly decreases with individuals' dislikes for other social groups, political groups, and religions.