Economic Status versus Same‐Sex Marriage Referenda in the 2004 Democratic Presidential Vote in “Appalachian” Counties

Abstract

Using multivariate regression analysis, this study compares the relative effects of traditional aggregate rational choice electoral behavior with a more recent perspective focusing on the preservation of group norms and group morality in the context of county economic classification and the presence or absence of same‐sex marriage referenda in the 2004 presidential election in Appalachian counties. Our findings suggest that economic factors, in the aggregate, retain the explanatory value commonly afforded them, but the presence of same‐sex marriage referenda fails to conform with the expectations of the group norm/morality perspective of rational choice behavior. We discuss how this study fits with other analyses of same‐sex marriage referenda in the 2004 election. Our findings suggest that the region can no longer, if it ever was, be considered politically and socially cohesive.