The Effect of Age on the Political Ideology of Ohio Legislators
Start Date
2023 4:00 PM
Location
Alter Hall Poster Session 2 - 3rd floor
Abstract
In previous studies, it has been shown that there is a strong correlation between age and ideology, with older legislators voting more ideologically consistent than younger legislators. It has also been shown that as politicians age, they identify more heavily with their party. In contrast to these findings, other studies suggest that older-generations of politicians are more moderate than their younger colleagues. In this study, we assess the relationship between age and ideology in the Ohio General Assembly in the 2019-2020 legislative cycle. We measure ideology using Shor-McCarty ideology scores and American Conservative Union Scores and control for factors such as race, gender, and district partisanship. We hypothesize that older legislators will be more ideologically extreme (more liberal, or more conservative) than younger legislators.
The Effect of Age on the Political Ideology of Ohio Legislators
Alter Hall Poster Session 2 - 3rd floor
In previous studies, it has been shown that there is a strong correlation between age and ideology, with older legislators voting more ideologically consistent than younger legislators. It has also been shown that as politicians age, they identify more heavily with their party. In contrast to these findings, other studies suggest that older-generations of politicians are more moderate than their younger colleagues. In this study, we assess the relationship between age and ideology in the Ohio General Assembly in the 2019-2020 legislative cycle. We measure ideology using Shor-McCarty ideology scores and American Conservative Union Scores and control for factors such as race, gender, and district partisanship. We hypothesize that older legislators will be more ideologically extreme (more liberal, or more conservative) than younger legislators.
