Military service and political participation in the United States: Institutional experience and the vote

Abstract

This article tests whether military service is associated with subsequent electoral engagement by veterans. In particular, we are interested in how military service may help to overcome the costs of participation for those with relatively low levels of education. We thereby examine Current Population Survey (CPS) data from 1994 to 2014 to understand how veteran status is associated with participation for Anglos (non-Latino whites), African Americans, and Latinos. We find that prior military service generally increases the likelihood of voting, even after controlling for standard demographic determinants. Furthermore, the participatory boost is strongest for those with the lowest levels of formal education. Military service is also important to shaping participation in “off year” elections, which typically see lower levels of overall turnout. These findings suggest that serving in the military not only spurs participation but also helps to overcome the socioeconomic dynamics that often impede political participation in the United States.