Initiatives Without Engagement by Joshua J Dyck;Edward L Lascher; & Edward Lascher

Author:Joshua J Dyck;Edward L Lascher; & Edward Lascher [Dyck, Joshua & Lascher, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Michigan Press (limited)

Figure 5.7. Party ID interactions (Independents). Predicted probabilities with 95 percent confidence intervals were generated from table A5.9, all other values held constant.

These findings are especially important given that pure independents already have the lowest propensity to vote and therefore the greatest potential for large mobilization effects. Ballot initiatives appear to have a larger effect on partisan voters—those already most likely to vote. The effects of partisan bias in mobilization have other implications as well, on how voters view and evaluate the political system. We explore these implications in greater depth in chapter 6.

Taken together, the findings on political interest, voter registration, and the mobilization of partisans tell a story that may seem unusual given the deeply ingrained mythology about participatory theory, but they fit squarely within the participation and turnout literature. Ballot initiatives Page 94 →can activate peripheral voters, who participate in politics sometimes but not always. Initiatives are more effective at doing this in midterm elections. Ballot initiatives do not appear to be able to reach beyond peripheral voters to mobilize disengaged voters who either never participate or are not registered to vote. Likewise, there appears to be a partisan bias to mobilization. Least likely to be mobilized by ballot initiatives are independent voters, the voting group that is the least participatory and least engaged yet has, according to much ballot initiative lore, the most to gain from being able to vote on individual issues, rather than on candidates.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.