Researcher ORCID Identifier

0009-0005-9225-7616

Graduation Year

2026

Document Type

Open Access Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Second Department

Politics and International Relations

Reader 1

Jennifer Ma

Reader 2

Nancy Neiman

Reader 3

Egamaria Alacam

Rights Information

© 2026 Annika R Lindberg

Abstract

Low voter turnout has characterized American elections for the past century, raising ongoing concerns about democratic representation. Although scholars agree that low turnout is problematic, they differ on which factors most strongly influence participation. This thesis examined whether creating a celebratory, patriotic Election Day environment modeled after Fourth of July festivities increased voter engagement.

Using two complementary methods, the research evaluated the effects of celebratory Election Day settings on voting behavior. Study 1 used a partial field case study, comparing turnout after Election Day parties held for three student organizations at a small California liberal arts college with turnout from two prior years in which the same organizations conducted elections via email. Turnout did not significantly differ between conditions, indicating that the celebratory events did not increase participation in this context.

Study 2 used an online experimental survey in which participants were randomly assigned to view either a standard Election Day environment or a celebratory one. Participants then reported their perceptions of the setting and their likelihood and motivation to vote. The celebratory condition yielded significantly higher scores on motivation to vote and event design perceptions, with a marginal trend toward greater perceived normative support, though likelihood of voting, social context, and ease of voting did not differ between conditions.

Together, these findings suggested that celebratory Election Day environments can meaningfully enhance the motivational and experiential dimensions of voting, though their impact may be limited by sample characteristics and contextual factors. The results point toward the need for more immersive, sustained, and targeted interventions when seeking to improve voter participation among less politically engaged populations.

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