Family structure and voter turnout

We use data from the Voting and Registration Supplement of the Current Population Survey to explore the effects of family structure on turnout in the 2000 presidential election. Our results indicate that family structure, defined as marital status and the presence of children, has substantial implications for turnout. Married adults vote more frequently than do those who have never been married; in turn, previously married people are the lightest voters. On the other hand, the effects of children on turnout are small and inconsistent. These findings are only partially explained by social and demographic differences.