The Effects of Photographic Identification on Voter Turnout in Indiana: A County-Level Analysis
Abstract
I examine the change in voter turnout across Indiana counties before and after the implementation of photo ID requirements. Overall, statewide turnout increased by about two percentage points after photo ID; further, there is no consistent evidence that counties that have higher percentages of minority, poor, elderly or less-educated
population suffer any reduction in voter turnout relative to other counties. In fact, the estimated effect of photo ID on turnout is positive for counties with a greater percentage of minorities or families in poverty. The only consistent and frequently statistically significant impact of photo ID in Indiana is to increase voter turnout in
counties with a greater percentage of Democrats relative to other counties. These findings run counter to some recent and prominent concerns that have been raised about voter identification reforms; however, these results are consistent with both existing theory on voter behavior and the most recent and reliable empirical evidence on the effects of voter identification requirements on turnout.
Part of
Citation
Milyo, Jeffrey. (2007). "The Effects of Photographic Identification on Voter Turnout in Indiana: A County-Level Analysis." Report 10-2007. Retrieved from University of Missouri Columbia, Institute of Public Policy Web site: http:// www.truman.missouri.edu/ipp/products
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OpenAccess
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