Changes and continuities in the determinants of older adults' voter turnout 1952-1996

Purpose: The goal of this project was to examine the factors related to the high level of voter turnout among older adults and how these factors have changed across the past 50 years. The study builds on previous research eff orts by combining individual level analyses from three nationally represent ative surveys. Design and Methods: We examined voter turnout among older ci tizens using the American National Election Studies (ANES) 1952-1996, the C urrent Population Studies (CPS) 1972-1996, and the General Social Surveys ( GSS) 1972-1996. Logit regression identified significant factors that contri bute to or detract from voting in presidential elections. Results: Included in the extensive results, we found that being married, attending church, a nd contact by political operatives (since the 1980 election) contributed po sitively to older voters' turnout, whereas living in the South was a negati ve predictor. Implications: Triangulating data sources, we are able to util ize the strengths:of each study-providing an overview of the determinants o f voter turnout and understanding of the changes related to older Americans ' turnout in presidential elections.