Polarization et al. Factors that Impact Voter Turnout in Developed Democracies

There are well-researched institutional and societal factors that affect voter turnout. However, are there other factors that affect voter turnout in developed democracies? I review several prominent studies to gauge the depth and breadth of the literature regarding voter turnout. This paper seeks to examine in particular whether there is a relationship between polarization and voter turnout. I theorize that polarization is a significant factor that affects voter turnout. I also hold that other factors such as education, income, and electoral system impact voter turnout in developed democracies. I identify a few gaps in the literature and propose a couple of ideas for future research. Data is selected from over twenty developed democracies in order to test what impacts voter turnout in this demographic