Clarifying the Relationship Between Education and Turnout

This study explores the influence of education on turnout. Although the basic relationship is well established, previous research has failed to investigate adequately the underlying causal mechanisms. In this study, four of the most prominent explanations are addressed: (a) education instills a sense of civic duty, (b) education increases sense of political efficacy, (c) education makes registration easier, and (d) education enhances political sophistication or awareness. Although each explanation has some merit, causal modeling reveals that education's positive influence on registration likelihood and political awareness is especially important in accounting for its relationship to turnout.