Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-7-2019

Abstract

Religion has had a significant effect on voter participation in the United States and continues to change with society as it continues to develop into a more diverse environment. The “God Gap”, a coined term used to describe the more religiously attentive an individual is the more likely they are to vote Republican. Many different survey studies of the 2004 American National Election Survey (ANES) have supported this term with data showing a gap between republican and democratic votes when individuals report their attendance to religious services more than once a week.

Of those that participated in the 2016 American National Election Survey (ANES) 45% identified more closely with the democratic party and 40% identified more closely with the republican party. With the party identification of the participants stated it is important to note that 60% of these participants have attended church or a religious service. The statistical significance of having a religious affiliation plays a limited component when taking into account an individual’s political party identification. This paper shows that religious beliefs play an important factor when participants think of voting as a duty or a choice given to all Americans. Lastly, discussed are test implications and where further research analysis should be directed.

Comments

Paper written for Political Science 410 – Senior Seminar, for Prof. Ann Gordon.

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