How Do Religious Groups Respond to Class and Inequality?

Abstract

Using a county-level population analysis, the author examines whether the interaction between religious groups and class and inequality predict voter turnout and voter preference for George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election. Results indicate that for counties with high densities of mainline Protestants, lower income, and lower education meant depressed voter turnout and higher Bush support; with high densities of Jewish adherents, lower income yielded elevated voter turnout, while lower income along with less education equated with less Bush support; with high densities of Catholics, lower income meant higher voter turnout; with high densities of Evangelicals, lower income yielded depressed voter turnout; however, lower income and less education correlated with less Bush support. These patterns held for county income inequality when median income was controlled. The results challenge the perception that Evangelical groups in lower-SES regions persuaded members and their acquaintances to vote against their economic interests. Rather, the results imply that mainline Protestant groups in lower-SES regions successfully shifted votes to Bush. The findings suggest that outreach by labor and other progressives to Evangelicals, especially those in poorer regions, can lead to political collaboration.