  Since Downs proposed that the act of voting is irrational in 1957, myriad
models have been proposed to explain voting and account for observed turnout
patterns. We propose a model in which partisans consider both the instrumental
and expressive benefits of their vote when deciding whether or not to abstain
in an election, introducing an asymmetry that most other models do not
consider. Allowing learning processes within our electorate, we analyze what
turnout states are rationalizable under various conditions. Our model predicts
comparative statics that are consistent with voter behavior. Furthermore,
relaxing some of our preliminary assumptions eliminates some of the
discrepancies between our model and empirical voter behavior.
