The Electoral Capture of Gay and Lesbian Americans: Evidence and Implications from the 2004 Election

Abstract

In a two-party system, electoral capture refers to the political dilemma faced by a group that regularly votes overwhelmingly for one party while the other major party has no interest in competing for the group's votes (Frymer, 1999). In 2004, 11 states approved amendments to their state constitutions that banned same-sex marriages. The initiatives passed by wide margins that, except in Utah, exceeded the margin of victory for the winning presidential candidate in each state. The broad support for the anti-gay initiatives suggests the electoral capture of Gay and Lesbian Americans.

Citation

Smith, C.A. (2007), "The Electoral Capture of Gay and Lesbian Americans: Evidence and Implications from the 2004 Election", Sarat, A. (Ed.) Studies in Law, Politics and Society (Studies in Law, Politics, and Society, Vol. 40), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 103-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1059-4337(06)40004-1