1
Vote by Mail: Voter Preferences and
Self-Reported Voting Behavior
Abstract
This research note utilizes probit analysis to assess recent opinion on vote by mail
and to estimate the effect of vote by mail on the turnout of various demographic and
partisan groups within the State of Oregon – a state that adopted vote by mail for all of its
election beginning in 1999. The results show that Oregonians have maintained their
overwhelming support for vote by mail elections -- in particular, women, Independents,
Republicans, and older voters. Self-reported responses regarding frequency of voting
indicate that women and the employed are most likely to indicate that they have voted
more often since the adoption of vote by mail and that this increased turnout does not
favor a particular party’s candidates.