Abstract
We explore the relationship between ballot measures on issues salient to Millennials and their turnout in presidential and midterm elections. Both scholars and observers in the media have worried about decreasing levels of citizen participation, particularly among young voters. We demonstrate that one way to engage Millennials into traditional forms of political participation is through ballot measures that focus on issues salient to their generation (marijuana liberalization and higher education reform). We show that not only do these measures increase Millennial voting, but they erase difference in turnout levels between Millennials and older generations. This effect is primarily concentrated in low-turnout contexts such as midterm elections, indicating that these measures may be playing a similar mobilization role in midterm elections as presidential campaigns do in turnout out low-propensity voters.
Highlights
Scholars have documented a significant decrease in turnout across the US and other Western democracies over the past half century (Franklin, 2004; McDonald, 2018)
We argue that Millennial-oriented ballot measures provide a path for engaging these voters, who appear to be disenchanted with politics due to years of perceived political dysfunction (Foa & Mounk, 2016)
We argue that ballot measures increase Millennial turnout in midterm and presidential elections most when the proposals are focused on issues salient to them
Summary
Scholars have documented a significant decrease in turnout across the US and other Western democracies over the past half century (Franklin, 2004; McDonald, 2018). Just 33 percent of the silent generation, percent of Baby Boomers, and percent of Generation X respondents say marijuana should be made legal (Geiger, 2016) Their distinct opinions on marijuana and unique experience with higher education make both policy areas highly salient for Millennial voters relative to the rest of the population. These two issues should mobilize Millennials more than other generations. We collect a unique dataset of state ballot measures on marijuana liberalization and higher education reform We pair these data with the Current Population Survey from 2002–2016 to model voter turnout. When Millennials can vote on issues that are important to them, they are just as likely to vote as the rest of the population
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