Jury Service and Electoral Participation: A Test of the Participation Hypothesis

41 Pages Posted: 3 Apr 2007

See all articles by John Gastil

John Gastil

Pennsylvania State University

E. Pierre Deess

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Phil Weiser

University of Colorado Law School

Jordan Larner

Washington Senate Republican Caucus

Date Written: March 31, 2007

Abstract

The participation hypothesis holds that when people undertake one civic activity, their likelihood of future political participation increases. This paper reports on three original studies that test this hypothesis by linking the non-voluntary, institutionalized activity of jury deliberation with future electoral participation. First, twelve in-depth interviews with recent jurors demonstrate that people can conceptualize jury deliberation and voting as related responsibilities. Second, a national study of court and voting records demonstrates that criminal jury deliberation experience can significantly increase turnout rates among previously infrequent voters. Third, a survey of jurors demonstrates that both one's objective and subjective experience of jury deliberation influences future voting rates.

Keywords: jury service, political participation

JEL Classification: K40

Suggested Citation

Gastil, John and Deess, Eugene Pierre and Weiser, Phil and Larner, Jordan, Jury Service and Electoral Participation: A Test of the Participation Hypothesis (March 31, 2007). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=977775 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.977775

John Gastil

Pennsylvania State University ( email )

University Park, PA 16802
United States

Eugene Pierre Deess

New Jersey Institute of Technology ( email )

University Heights
Newark, NJ 07102

Phil Weiser (Contact Author)

University of Colorado Law School ( email )

401 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309
United States

Jordan Larner

Washington Senate Republican Caucus ( email )

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