Abstract
Electoral participation is crucial for establishing the legitimacy of representative democratic political systems. Yet, low or decreasing turnout characterizes many contemporary democracies. The problem seems even more pronounced among the younger generations and various minority groups. Among the reasons for low electoral participation, the literature often emphasizes deficiencies in political culture and dissatisfaction with mainstream politics. However, it is unclear whether these factors are equally valid explanations for low participation among youth and minority groups. This paper examines the relative influence of these two factors—normative and evaluative—on electoral participation in a comparative context, focusing on youth and ethnic/racial minority groups. Data collected in CSES Module 5, comprising 56 election studies and a total unweighted N ≈ 114k respondents, were used in the analysis. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis predicting voting turnout by youth, minority status, normative support for democracy, and evaluative factors of participation, while controlling for relevant individual (gender, education) and contextual variables (compulsory voting, type of regime, and Freedom House ratings), was performed. The findings confirm that younger individuals and minorities are less likely to vote, while normative support for democracy and positive evaluations of the system increase voter turnout. However, the link between normative democratic support and voting was weaker among minority groups. Unlike the majority population, for whom positive evaluations of the system's performance encouraged participation, minorities did not exhibit the same pattern. These results are discussed in light of their theoretical significance and potential implications for democratic practices.
