The effect of candidate gender on voter registration and turnout

This study examines whether the presence of female Senate candidates on the ballot affects voting behavior among women --- specifically, the probability a woman registers to vote or casts a ballot. The hypothesis is that women are more likely to register to vote and cast ballots in states with female Senate candidates compared to male Senate candidates.;Past research suggests that, on average, women are more likely than men to support female candidates, but studies have found there are other factors that affect the relationship between female candidates and women voters; for example, the candidate's political party and the type of electoral contest are both important elements. To test the hypothesis, this study employs logistic regression models using data from the 2008 Voting and Registration supplement to the Current Population Survey. The supplement is issued in November of election years and asks respondents questions on voter registration and turnout.;The results suggest that the presence of female candidates on the ballot did not have a statistically significant effect on a woman's decision to register to vote or cast a ballot. There were likely other factors beyond candidate gender that influenced an individual's voting behavior. The findings that candidate gender did not have a significant effect on voting behavior deserve further study, however, given the historic nature of the 2008 election.