Currently political participation, especially voter registration and
turnout, varies substantially with ethnicity. Blacks and non-Hispanic whites
participate at roughly equal rates, while Latinos and Asian-Americans are
substantially less active, this variation may reflect cultural factors, or
it may be the spurious product of differences in the distribution of
non-ethnic determinants of participation, including socioeconomic and
demographic characteristics, variables reflecting immigration history,
including citizenship, and measures of group identification. Using data
collected in 1984 on samples of California's black, Latino, Asian-American,
and non-Hispanic white populations, we conclude that these other variables
fully account for lower Latino participation rates. Even with such controls,
however, Asian-Americans remain less likely to vote. Although non-citizens
participate less than citizens, they do engage in non-electoral activities,
Finally, we speculate on the future political impact of Latinos and
Asian-Americans, by projecting participation rates under several scenarios
