Clicking Your Way to the Polls: The Internet and Political Participation 1996-2008

34 Pages Posted: 14 Dec 2010

See all articles by Sky L. Ammann

Sky L. Ammann

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Date Written: October 1, 2010

Abstract

This paper explores the connection between Internet access as well as Internet campaign news to political participation, namely voting and campaign activities. Using NES cross-sectional data from 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008, the paper finds that both Internet access and Internet campaign news are statistically related to higher levels of political participation largely confirming and extending the findings of Tolbert and McNeal (2003). However, I also find that the relationship between Internet campaign news and political participation is conditioned by political interest. Internet use is only positively related to turnout for those who say they have lower political interest.

Keywords: Internet, Political Participation, Political Interest

Suggested Citation

Ammann, Sky L., Clicking Your Way to the Polls: The Internet and Political Participation 1996-2008 (October 1, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1721766 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1721766

Sky L. Ammann (Contact Author)

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ( email )

Bolton Hall 802
3210 N. Maryland Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
United States

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