Predictors of Electoral Participation among Spanish and Latin American Undergraduates

José Juan Vázquez, Sonia Panadero, Ana B. García-Varela

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.

DOI: 10.4236/sm.2013.31010                

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study of 709 undergraduates in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile, and Spain, countries with different developmental levels that held the first free elections following their respective dictatorships within a thirteen year span. The paper analyzes the electoral participation of undergraduates in relation to different factors. Results show a high electoral participation among Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, and Spanish undergraduates, while low turnout is observed among Chileans. The best predictors of electoral participation of undergraduates are related to their nationality, economic status, interest in politics, gender or living away from home.

Keywords

Electoral Participation; Predictors; Latin-America; Spain

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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