Previous studies have sought to assess the aggregate impact new voter identification (ID) laws have on voter turnout. In this study, we extend on this research by considering how the advertising of voter ID laws can affect voters’ perception of these laws and how these perceptions may affect individuals’ decisions to turnout. In Kansas, county clerks were given discretion in how to advertise new voter ID laws. Employing a quasi-experimental design and matching techniques, we examine these differences in the county-level advertising. We find that different advertising strategies can influence the impact voter ID laws have on turnout.
AldrichJohn H.1993. “Rational Choice and Turnout.” American Journal of Political Science37 (1): 246–78.
3.
AlvarezR. MichaelBaileyDeliaKatzJonathan N.2008. “The Effect of Voter Identification Laws on Turnout.” California Institute of Technology Working Paper. http://jkatz.caltech.edu/research/files/wp1267R.pdf.
4.
AnsolabehereStephenKoniskyDavid M.2006. “The Introduction of Voter Registration and Its Effect on Turnout.” Political Analysis14 (1): 83–100.
5.
BarretoMatt A.NunoStephen ASanchezGabriel R.2009. “The Disproportionate Impact of Voter-ID Requirements on the Electorate—New Evidence from Indiana.” Political Science & Politics42 (1): 111–16.
BurdenBarry C.NeiheiselJacob R.2013. “Election Administration and the Pure Effect of Voter Registration on Turnout.” Political Research Quarterly66 (1): 77–90.
8.
BurnhamWalter. 1987. “The Turnout Problem.” In Elections American Style, edited by ReichleyJ., 97–133. Washington, DC: Brookings Institute.
9.
CampbellAngusConversePhilipMillerWarrenStokesDonald. 1980. The American Voter. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
10.
Crawford v. Marion County Election Bd. 553 U.S. 181 (2008).
11.
DownsAnthony. 1957. An Economic Theory of Democracy. New York: Harper & Row.
12.
EriksonRobert S.MinniteLorraine C.2009. “Modeling Problems in the Voter Identification—Voter Turnout Debate.” Election Law Journal8 (2): 85–101.
HersheyMarjorie Randon. 2009. “What We Know about Voter-ID Laws, Registration, and Turnout.” Political Science & Politics42 (1): 87–91.
15.
HoodM. V.IIIBullockCharles S.III. 2008. “Worth a Thousand Words? An Analysis of Georgia’s Voter Identification Status.” American Politics Research36 (4): 555–79.
16.
ImaiKosukeKingGaryNallClayton. 2009. “The Essential Role of Pair Matching in Cluster-Randomized Experiments, with Application to the Mexican Universal Health Insurance Evaluation.” Statistical Science24 (1): 29–53.
MilyoJeffrey. 2007. “The Effects of Photographic Identification on Voter Turnout in Indiana: A County-level Analysis.” Institute of Public Policy Manuscript, University of Missouri, Columbia.
21.
MycoffJason D.WagnerMichael W.WilsonDavid C.2009. “The Empirical Effects of Voter-ID Laws: Present of Absent?” Political Science & Politics42 (1): 1212–126.
22.
OvertonSpencer. 2007. “Voter Identification.” Michigan Law Review105:631–82.
23.
RosenstoneSteven J.HansenJohn M.1993. Mobilization, Participation and Democracy in America. New York: Macmillan.
24.
Shelby County v. Holder 570 US ___, 12–96 (2013).
25.
SpringerMelanie J.2014. How the States Shaped the Nation: American Electoral Institutions and Voter Turnout, 1920-2000. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
26.
StewartCharles. 2013. “Voter ID: Who Has Them? Show Shows Them?” Oklahoma Law Review66 (1): 22–52.
VercellottiTimothyAndersonDavid. 2006. “Protecting the Franchise, or Restricting It? The Effects of Voter Identification on Turnout.” Eagleton Institute of Politics Manuscript, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
