Question

An elections officer wants to model voter turnout (y) in a precinct as a function of the type of precinct.

Consider the model relating mean voter turnout, E(y), to precinct type:
Ely) = β₀ + β₁D₁+ β₂D₂, where
D₁ = 1 if urban, 0 if rural
D₂ = 1 if wealthy, 0 if poor
Interpret the value of β₀.
a. the mean voter turnout for urban precincts
b. the difference between the mean voter turnout for urban and rural precincts
c. the mean voter turnout for poor, rural precincts
d. the mean voter turnout for rural precincts !

Answer 1

The value of β0 in the given model represents the mean voter turnout for poor, rural precincts.

Step-by-step explanation:

The value of β0 in the voter turnout model E(y) = β0 + β1D1+ β2D2 represents the mean voter turnout for poor, rural precincts. This is because when both D1 and D2 are equal to 0 (indicating a rural and poor precinct), the equation simplifies to E(y) = β0. Thus, β0 captures the base level of voter turnout without the influence of the precinct being urban or wealthy. The value of β₀ in the model represents the mean voter turnout for rural precincts.