Abstract: This research has analyzed the factors affecting political participation of rural residents.The theoretical analysis showed that the level of political participation is affected by Household Characteristics, Village Characteristics, Candidate Characteristics, and the Social Capital. Empirical analysis supported this conclusion on the whole. this paper used the investigation data of rural households in 30 villages of 5 counties in Nanjing, adopted the order Probit model, verified from the Household Characteristics, Village Characteristics, Candidate Characteristics, and got the direction and the strength of the factors. The results showed: ①Party Members and Village Enterprises had an significantly positive effect on the Practical Enthusiasm and Willingness of Political Participation; ②Bygone Disputes had an significantly positive effect on the Practical Enthusiasm and Willingness of Political Participation; ③Standard of Election Campaign, Candidate Characteristics and Intervention of Government had an significantly positive effect on the Practical Enthusiasm and Willingness of Political Participation; ④The Social Capital had no significant influence on the Practical Enthusiasm and Willingness of Political Participation.