p. 17-44

On the basis of a representative sample of 40,000 registered voters in France, and for the first time at the national scale, the article demonstrates the magnitude of voter mis-registration and the sociological characteristics of the phenomenon. Drawing on the 2012 national elections, it shows that 6.5 million persons eligible to vote were mis-registered (not registered in their new place of residence after a move) ; the socio-occupational categories concerned are students and senior managers, highly mobile groups that are nonetheless predisposed to vote. Analysis of actual voting practices finds that persons not registered at the right local polling station are three times more likely than others to abstain consistently.

ABSTENTION – VOTER TURNOUT – VOTER REGISTRATION PROCEDURE – VOTER LISTS – VOTER MIS-REGISTRATION – VOTER NON-REGISTRATION