Predictors of Electoral Participation among Spanish and Latin American Undergraduates

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study of 709 undergraduates in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile, and Spain, countries with different developmental levels that held the first free elections following their re- spective dictatorships within a thirteen year span. The paper analyzes the electoral participation of under- graduates in relation to different factors. Results show a high electoral participation among Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, and Spanish undergraduates, while low turnout is observed among Chileans. The best pre- dictors of electoral participation of undergraduates are related to their nationality, economic status, inter- est in politics, gender or living away from home.