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Description

The 2024 presidential election had the second highest turnout in recent history, with 64 percent of Americans casting a vote. In the context of midterm and local elections, this level of participation is rarely observed. If democracy is driven by constituent input, it is essential to examine who has the resources and incentives to participate. This review considers academic, peer-reviewed literature that examines voting and political sophistication, or an individual’s ability to acquire and apply political knowledge. While sociodemographic and economic variables influence political participation, educational attainment serves as an intersection of both. Access to quality education and post-secondary institutions increases an individual’s likelihood to vote by reducing the cost of participation. This review also places existing literature in conversation with ANES data and state-level public education policy. Expanding access to resources is essential to reduce educational disparities in voter turnout.

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

Publication Date

Spring 4-17-2026

Publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Keywords

political sophistication; voting behavior; education; policy; higher education

Disciplines

American Politics | Education | Political Science

File Format

PDF

File Size

689 KB

Comments

Mentor: Rafael Oganesyan

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Political Sophistication: Approaching the Education Divide


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