Deterring Voter Registration Through Juror Selection Practices: Evidence from Survey Data

Abstract

Presenting evidence from additional data sources, this study confirms the finding that the use of voter registration lists for jury selection purposes significantly reduces registration rates. Further, evidence is provided for the first time that a large percentage of Americans are aware that voter registration lists are the primary source lists for selection of jurors. That so many people know a fact as seemingly arcane as this, while so few know basic facts about the workings of government, provides striking support for the Downsian approach to political participation. Knowledge of juror source practices is shown to be strongly associated with the incentive and opportunity to acquire such information. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 2000