Abstract

By utilising rich census data containing administrative information on the electoral behaviour of about 14 million Chilean eligible voters, we studied the turnout gender gap. A sizeable gender gap favouring female participation was observed in this study. Importantly, this gender gap is moderated by the age structure of the electorate. For every four young males aged 40 and below who turnout, approximately five females belonging to the same age group turnout. We also find that the gender gap falls systematically with age among adults aged from 40 to 72, and even reverses its sign for those aged above 72. We argue that these findings are in accordance with long-term cultural changes and context.