Turnout in Recent American Presidential Elections

In: Political behavior, Band 11, Heft 1, S. 57-79

Abstract

Analyses of US National Election Study data for 1980 & 1984 are used to investigate patterns & causes of the 1984 reversal of the post-1960s decline in elections participation. Results indicate that: the gap in participation between the wealthier & poorer widened, while that between men & women narrowed & reversed direction; & belonging to a group associated with a strong identity affected participation. Findings suggest that shifts in patterns of turnout correspond to shifts in the lines of politicized interests. However, analysis of the participation of blacks provides little evidence for electoral mobilization by the Rainbow Coalition. 12 Tables, 18 References. Modified HA