This paper challenges the conventional view that democratic consolidation depresses voter turnout.

➡️ Democratic Context Effects

* Opposition-driven democratization strongly boosts founding election turnout.

* This initial boost fades over time as mobilizing factors lose salience, leading to subsequent declines.

* Post-Communist transitions appear particularly susceptible to this decline.

➡️ Long-Term Trends Mirror Established Democracies

Voter rates have been declining in new democracies since the 1970s.

This downward trend occurs regardless of consolidation effects or favorable founding contexts, showing similarities with established democracies over time.