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Early voting experiences and habit formation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2023

Elias Dinas Open the ORCID record for Elias Dinas [Opens in a new window] ,
Vicente Valentim Open the ORCID record for Vicente Valentim [Opens in a new window] ,
Nikolaj Broberg  and
Mark N. Franklin Open the ORCID record for Mark N. Franklin [Opens in a new window]
Elias Dinas
Affiliation:
European University Institute, Fiesole, Italy
Vicente Valentim*
Affiliation:
European University Institute, Fiesole, Italy
Nikolaj Broberg
Affiliation:
European University Institute, Fiesole, Italy
Mark N. Franklin
Affiliation:
European University Institute, Fiesole, Italy
*
*Corresponding author. Email: vicente.valentim@eui.eu
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Abstract

Research has shown that first-time voting experiences affect subsequent voting behavior, with salient elections boosting subsequent turnout and non-salient ones suppressing it. We challenge this view. Following research on the context-dependent nature of habit formation, we argue that all elections should affect subsequent turnout in elections of the same type. Comparing individuals that differ only in how salient their first eligible election was (Presidential or Midterm), we find support for this expectation. Individuals are more likely to vote for, and be interested in, elections of the same type as their first voting experience. Leveraging voting age laws in the US, we also show that such laws affect subsequent participation by changing the type of election individuals are first eligible for.

Keywords

Eligibilitymidterm electionspresidential electionsturnoutvoting habits
Type
Research Note
Information
Political Science Research and Methods , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , January 2024 , pp. 195 - 206
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Political Science Association

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