Turnout and Election Reform

Jonathan Nagler is examining absentee voting and its effect on turnout.   He compares the way you can request an absentee ballot — in-person, by-mail, online, or being a permanent absentee voter — and their affect on turnout.

For presidential elections, Jonathan finds that:

  • absentee voting increases turnout
  • registration closing dates really matter for turnout
  • election day registration matters for turnout.