ICPSR Explores Presidential and Other Election Data Through the Years

Teaching about the Presidential or Other U.S. Elections? ICPSR Has the Data You Need!

• American National Election Study (ANES) Series. One of the first studies shared by ICPSR! The series includes studies from the mid-twentieth century through the 2020 election. Respondents are asked about their perceptions of candidates and parties, major issues, and the importance of the election, as well as about anticipated (pre-election) and actual (post-election) voting behaviors. 
  • For classroom use, check out Voting Behavior in the 2020 Election, which teaches students about survey methodology and political behaviors within the U.S. 
• Campaign Expenditures in the United States Series. Historical data (ranging from the late 1970s through 2002) on campaign spending. This is a good complement to recent data available from the Federal Election Commission. 
• AP Votecast Series. Conducted by NORC on behalf of the Associated Press and Fox News, this survey uses new methodology that takes advantage of large opt-in online panels calibrated against a probability sample of registered voters. ICPSR holds midterm data for 2018 and 2022 and is adding primary data from 2024 later this fall.  

Specific Voter Subgroup Studies

 

• Youth Participatory Politics Survey Project (YPPSP). This three-wave data collection (2011-2015) focuses on young adults ages 15-29, their political attitudes and behaviors, news sources, and media practices. Oversamples of African- and Asian-American and Latino respondents allow for comparisons. 
• Collaborative Multi-racial Post-election Survey (CMPS) Series. A national survey of both voters and those who did not vote on political and social issues measured after presidential elections (2008-2020). These data allow for analyses broken down by racial/ethnic group. 
• Latino Immigrant National Election Studies (LINES). Longitudinal (pre- and post-2012 and 2016 elections) surveys of foreign-born Latino immigrants to the United States, focusing on immigrant civic engagement and political socialization. The questionnaire is comparable to the 2012 American National Election Study instrument. 
• National Asian American Survey (NAAS) Series. Pre- (2008, 2016) and post-election (2016) data from self-identified Asian/Asian American residents of the U.S. Includes information about political attitudes and behaviors as well as immigrant experiences. Samples of at least 500 individuals in each of the six largest national-origin groups.

Predict the Winner's Inaugural Speech

If you're interested in guessing what the winner will say in their inaugural address, be sure to check out the United States Presidential Inaugural Addresses, 1789-2009 which is the collection of speeches given by incoming presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama!

ICPSR Election & Political Scavenger Hunt 

This was a popular activity at the 2024 ICPSR Data Fair, and you can join in, too! Check out the ICPSR Election & Political Scavenger Hunt  - Hints and answer sheet included (Canva file, does not require sign-in)
 

Do you have voting- or elections-related data to preserve and share?

Extend your research impact and consider archiving your voting or election-related research data with ICPSR (so that it may continue to answer research questions in the years to come). Visit our data deposit page for more information.

Special thanks to Dominic Bonanni, Lynette Hoelter, Shelly Petrinko, Jenna Tyson, and Dory Knight-Ingram for compiling this data spotlight.

Oct 9, 2024

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