Does Electoral Reform Increase (or Decrease) Political Equality?
Over recent decades, the American states have implemented electoral reforms making it easier for citizens to register and vote. This paper examines the equality effects of these reforms: the degree to which reform serves to equalize or further skew participation rates between the rich and poor. Using the Voter Supplement to the Current Population Survey, we generate state-level estimates of income bias in registration and voting for elections from 1978-2008. Findings support our theory that some electoral reforms promote equality, while others further stratify the electorateparticularly when state registration rolls are already unrepresentative in terms of income groups.
Over recent decades, the American states have implemented electoral reforms making it easier for citizens to register and vote. This paper examines the “equality effects” of these reforms: the degree to which reform serves to equalize or further skew participation rates between the rich and poor. Using the Voter Supplement to the Current Population Survey, we generate state-level estimates of income bias in registration and voting for elections from 1978-2008. Findings support our theory that some electoral reforms promote equality, while others further stratify the electorate—particularly when state registration rolls are already unrepresentative in terms of income groups.
