This study investigates the long-term influence of civic motivations during adolescence (ages 13–16) on patterns of electoral engagement in early adulthood (ages 26–29). Drawing on a unique longitudinal dataset and grounded in expectancy-value theory, we examine how political efficacy, political knowledge, political interest, and civic norms during adolescence predict voting behavior in adulthood. Results reveal that early civic motivations particularly political knowledge, interest, and civic norms significantly predict electoral engagement more than a decade later. Socioeconomic background also shapes adult voting behavior: higher perceived socioeconomic status is positively associated with engagement, while an immigrant background consistently predicts lower participation. Distinct voting patterns emerged, with drop-off voters, new voters, and non-voters differing from consistent voters in terms of civic norms, political knowledge, and immigrant background. These findings highlight the enduring impact of youth agency in shaping adult electoral participation and contribute to a literature that has traditionally emphasized external socialization agents. By using register-based voting data and controlling for prior electoral engagement, the study provides strong empirical support for the long-term relevance of civic motivations. The results underscore the need to refine theoretical models of political development and extend the application of expectancy-value theory to the study of sustained democratic engagement.
