Segmented Mobilization

Abstract

Using data from a nonpartisan get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaign conducted by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) prior to the November 7, 2000, election, I use a quasi-experimental approach to address three distinct questions. First, are phone canvassing efforts targeting Latinos effective in increasing voter turnout? Second, are the effects of these efforts the same among all Latinos, or are there distinct patterns of effectiveness by nativity and/or registration cohort? Finally, in conjunction with elite mobilization, what forms of political context need to be considered when explaining levels of participation? I find that although nonpartisan voter mobilization efforts in majority-Latino precincts can be effective, these efforts may not be equally effective among all of the targeted Latinos. Specifically, I find that those who were primed for participation, as opposed to those who mobilized in reaction to the political context, are more receptive to phone mobilization requests.