This Is AuburnElectronic Theses and Dissertations

An Examination of the Youth Voter Participation Rates with Individual Level and Election Specific Information

Date

2008-12-15

Author

Meads, Holly

Type of Degree

Thesis

Department

Economics

Abstract

The young voters (age 18 to 24) political participation by voting has declined in the previous Presidential election years and few studies have determined the cause. This study examines the youth participation rates in Presidential elections 2000 and 2004 by using election specific and individual level information. This current study investigates the changes in the voter participation rate between the two years. The results show that the changes in the youth vote are a function of race, marital status, and specific state legislation pertaining to the election.