Do They Want, Can They, and Have They Been Asked? Generational Differences in Reasons for Non‐Voting in Switzerland

Abstract In many advanced democracies, newer generations and younger citizens are less likely to vote than earlier generations and older individuals. However, despite this being an established empirical matter, less is known about the reasons why they decide to stay away from the polls. This’ Age‐Period‐Cohort’ (APC) study analyzes generational and age differences in reasons for abstaining using Swiss SELECTS post‐election survey data from 1995 to 2023. We specifically examine the self‐reported motivations of abstainers and how they diverge across cohorts and age groups. Our analysis demonstrates that newer cohorts of Swiss citizens are more likely to justify their abstention by indicating low levels of political interest and a lack of political knowledge, whereas age differences in reason‐giving point to higher levels of political disillusionment among older non‐voters. These findings have broad implications for understanding the higher levels of electoral abstention of younger generations and highlight ways of addressing these issues.