What if the vote were optional? Expectation for voluntary electoral participation in Brazil and the role of socioeconomic status

Abstract

The positive association between socioeconomic status (SES) and electoral participation is widely acknowledged. Yet, the mechanisms of such relation are poorly explored. Although compulsory voting is considered capable of mitigating the effects of SES on electoral participation and its abolition is often proposed, hypothetical voluntary turnout in Brazil is rarely discussed. Based on ESEB-2014, we analyze whether voluntary voting could deepen socioeconomic disparities between voters and absentees, besides exploring mechanisms by which SES relates to turnout. Logistic regressions and structural equations were conducted and their results suggest that socioeconomic factors are indirectly related to (hypothetical) electoral participation in Brazil. Moreover, this relation is largely mediated by individual psychological variables of political engagement – especially political interest.

voluntary voting; electoral participation; political equality