Voter Turnout and City Performance: Evidence from Italian Municipalities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Lo Prete ◽  
Federico Revelli
Keyword(s):  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
National Elections ◽  
Mayoral Elections ◽  
Administrative Efficiency ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Bad Weather ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Of Voting

Abstract Using data on mayoral elections in large Italian cities during the 2000s, we investigate whether and how voter turnout affects city performance across a number of dimensions. To address the issue of voter turnout endogeneity and identify the transmission mechanism, we exploit exogenous variation in participation rates in mayoral elections due to anticipated shocks (concurrence of local and national elections) and unanticipated shocks (bad weather on the day of the election) to the cost of voting. The results consistently point to a negative impact of voter turnout rates on indicators of urban environmental performance, life quality, and administrative efficiency. Interestingly, though, we find that only anticipated shocks to turnout affect the quality of elected mayors measured on a number of competence dimensions, compatibly with the hypothesis of a selection mechanism whereby parties choose candidates to maximize their chances of winning the elections based on their expectations on voter turnout rates (JEL D72, H72, C26).

The Legal Context of Turnout

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan E. Leighley ◽  
Jonathan Nagler
Keyword(s):  
Voter Turnout ◽  
State Level ◽  
Electoral Rules ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Election Administration ◽  
Legal Context ◽  
Electoral Impact ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Of Voting

This chapter considers the electoral impact the new, wider array of voter registration and election administration laws using a new data set collected on state electoral rules between 1972 and 2008. States vary tremendously as to how easy it is to register and to vote, and previous research suggests that these laws affect who votes because they change the cost of voting. However, most of these studies rely on cross-sectional data, and usually consider the influence of one reform at a time. The chapter provides aggregate (state-level) analyses of the effects of changes in these rules on voter turnout. These analyses help us address the question of whether overall voter turnout has increased as a result of these legal changes. It finds modest effects of election day registration, of absentee voting, and of moving the closing date for registration closer to the election on overall turnout. The effect of early voting is less clear.

scholarly journals Electoral Arrangements and Turnout Variance at the Sub-National Level: Comparative Insights from Three Constituencies in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Fortune Agbele
Keyword(s):  
Voter Turnout ◽  
National Level ◽  
Individual Perceptions ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Of Voting ◽  
Different Levels

Using micro-level data from three constituencies in Ghana, which are cases of high, average and low turnout respectively, I assess whether voters’ perceptions of the cost of voting (resource and time) can explain such variation in voter turnout. Results suggest that in Ghana, such individual perceptions of the cost associated with voting do not help in explaining variance in voter turnout at the constituency level: Across the different levels of turnout, there is little to no variance in voters’ perceptions. I find that the high positive perceptions of the electoral processes across high, average, and low turnout constituencies are not only due to the activities of the electoral management body but among others, the adjustments by citizens to the process based on their experiences from past elections.

Bargain Shopping: How Candidate Sex Lowers the Cost of Voting

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather L. Ondercin ◽  
Sarah A. Fulton
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
District Level ◽  
Political Decision ◽  
Female Candidate ◽  
Individual Candidate ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Of Voting ◽  
Political Decision Making ◽  
Woman Candidate

Previous research shows that candidate sex serves as a heuristic that lessens the informational burden of political decision making. Building upon this research, we investigate the heuristic effects of candidate sex on the decision to turnout to vote in an election. We posit that by providing ideological and nonideological information about the candidates, candidate sex serves as an informational shortcut that reduces the costs associated with voting and enhances the likelihood of voting in elections when a female candidate is present. Our expectations are supported, even after controlling for a variety of individual-, candidate- and district-level characteristics that are correlated with turnout. Individuals are more likely to turnout in elections featuring a woman candidate, and consistent with our expectations, these effects are especially strong for female Democrats, whose sex and party heuristics convey a consistent “liberal” cue. Our research offers theoretical and empirical contributions to the literature on gender, candidate heuristics, and voter turnout.

scholarly journals What does it take to make it to the polling station? The effects of campaign activities on electoral participation

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siim Trumm ◽  
Laura Sudulich
Keyword(s):  
Second Order ◽  
Electoral Participation ◽  
Relative Ability ◽  
General Elections ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Local Campaigns ◽  
Cost Of Voting

This study explores the extent to which campaign visibility facilitates electoral participation, using data from first- and second-order elections in Britain. Our contribution to the existing literature is threefold. First, we assess whether the effects of campaign effort are conditioned by marginality, finding that campaign mobilization gets out the vote regardless of the competitiveness of the race. Second, we look at the relative ability of different campaign activities to stimulate turnout, detecting significant differences. Third, we show that the effects of campaign effort on electoral participation are rather similar in first- and second-order elections. These findings suggest that a greater level of electoral information provided by campaign activities does reduce the cost of voting. Local campaigns play a key role in bringing voters to the polls in marginal and non-marginal races and at general elections as much as at second-order elections.

Weather, Voter Turnout and Partisan Effects in Korea, 1995–1999

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 507-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junhan Lee ◽  
Wonjae Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Minor Parties ◽  
Inclement Weather ◽  
Electoral Outcomes ◽  
Bad Weather

Weather conditions have long been considered as a major factor that affects voter turnout. Does inclement weather suppress voter turnout? If so, which party would benefit from lower voter turnout caused by bad weather conditions? Since voter turnout has an impact on electoral outcomes in many countries, including Korea, addressing these questions is essential for better understanding of voter turnout and electoral outcomes. This paper examines the weather-turnout theory using 146 by-elections held in Korea between 1995 and 1999. The results show that, all else being constant, inclement weather reduces voter turnout, implying that it may benefit right-wing or major parties rather than left-wing or minor parties through its negative impact on voter turnout.

scholarly journals Voter Turnouts in Presidential Elections in Ghana: A Political Economy Analysis Using District-Level Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Kwabena Asomanin Anaman ◽  
Gbensuglo Alidu Bukari
Keyword(s):  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Income Elasticities ◽  
Price And Income Elasticities ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Political Economy Analysis ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Negative Factors ◽  
Cost Of Voting

During the Fourth Republican electioneering era in Ghana, starting in November 1992, presidential elections are conducted every four years. The 2000 and 2012 elections closely coincided with the national population censuses of 2000 and 2010, respectively. We constructed meso-level models, based on the concept of “average district voter”, to analyse factors influencing voter turnout rates. The results of the analysis indicated that voting was a normal good based on the estimated inelastic price and income elasticities of demand for this good. As expected, the cost of voting incurred by an individual negatively influenced turnout. The other significant negative factors influencing turnout rates included increasing male/female sex ratio (gender), increasing age-based dependency ratio (poverty burden), and disability.

Analysis of Impacts Malaysia's Territorial Limitation (Lockdown) Policy on Indonesia-Malaysia Border Area, Sanggau District

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-156
Author(s):  
Ira Patriani
Keyword(s):  
Social Issues ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Border Area ◽  
Border Areas ◽  
The Government ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Virus Spreading ◽  
Kinship Ties ◽  
Collection Methods

Border areas, is one of affected area on COVID_19 this present. Many of people cn not go out as usually, adding almost each country has to implement their territorial limitation (lockdown policy) to minimalize this virus spreading. One of Malaysia State, where very close and get direct border with Indonesia. This research took place at Sanggau District, Entikong, Gun Tembawang Village.The research approach used is qualitative, using data collection methods in the form of interviews, observations, and documentation supported by interviews with the theoretical approach to the negative and positive aspects on policy implementation. Research results, The results stated that the lockdown activities of Malaysia which were affected by the corona virus outbreak needed to be carried out in an effort to minimize the spread of the virus outbreak. Although of course it has a negative impact on the country's economic structure, social issues and other sector. In implementing this lockdown, there is a need for cooperation between the government and the community as well as an agreement with neighboring countries in terms of the mobility of residents closest to each other's territory on exemptions in order to realize social welfare and public health without limiting the origin of the state, religion, community and profession. Especially in border areas where mobility and kinship ties have always been closer than in other regions. Keywords: Border area, lockdown policy, covid_19

scholarly journals Economic assessment of a community-based care package for people with lower limb disorder caused by lymphatic filariasis, podoconiosis and leprosy in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (12) ◽  
pp. 1021-1034
Author(s):  
Natalia Hounsome ◽  
Mersha Kinfe ◽  
Maya Semrau ◽  
Oumer Ali ◽  
Abraham Tesfaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Psychosocial Care ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
World Health ◽  
Care Package ◽  
The Cost

Abstract We conducted an implementation research study to integrate a holistic package of physical health, mental health and psychosocial care for podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis and leprosy into routine healthcare in Gusha cluster, Guagusa Shikudad district, northwest Ethiopia. The healthcare package included training patients in lower limb hygiene and skin care and provision of shoes, hygiene supplies and medication. The implementation activities included training events, workshops, awareness raising, self-help groups, supportive supervision, staff secondments and advisory board meetings. The cost of implementing the care package in Gusha cluster, with a population of 30 558 people, was 802 655 Ethiopian birr (ETB) (£48 159) and the cost of delivering care to 235 participants was 204 388 ETB (£12 263), or 870 ETB (£52) per person. There was a 35% decrease in the mean disability scores (measured using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0) and a 45% improvement in the dermatology-specific quality of life (measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index) at the 3-month follow-up compared with baseline. There were reductions in the number of days with symptoms, days off usual activities/work and days with reduced activity due to illness, all of which were statistically significant. Our pilot suggests that integration of the care package into routine healthcare in Ethiopia may be effective in improving health-related quality of life and disability and reducing time out of economic activity due to illness.

scholarly journals Acute Financial Hardship and Voter Turnout: Theory and Evidence from the Sequence of Bank Working Days

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
MAX SCHAUB
Keyword(s):  
Political Participation ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Financial Hardship ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Financial Status ◽  
Definitive Answer ◽  
Financial Difficulties ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Using Data

How does poverty influence political participation? This question has interested political scientists since the early days of the discipline, but providing a definitive answer has proved difficult. This article focuses on one central aspect of poverty—the experience of acute financial hardship, lasting a few days at a time. Drawing on classic models of political engagement and novel theoretical insights, I argue that by inducing stress, social isolation, and feelings of alienation, acute financial hardship has immediate negative effects on political participation. Inference relies on a natural experiment afforded by the sequence of bank working days that causes short-term financial difficulties for the poor. Using data from three million individuals, personal interviews, and 1,100 elections in Germany, I demonstrate that acute financial hardship reduces both turnout intentions and actual turnout. The results imply that the financial status of the poor on election day can have important consequences for their political representation.

scholarly journals Punishment Strategies across Societies: Conventional Wisdoms Reconsidered

Games ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Ramzi Suleiman ◽  
Yuval Samid
Keyword(s):  
Public Goods ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Public Goods Game ◽  
The Public ◽  
Free Riders ◽  
The World ◽  
Emergence Of Cooperation ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Cost

Experiments using the public goods game have repeatedly shown that in cooperative social environments, punishment makes cooperation flourish, and withholding punishment makes cooperation collapse. In less cooperative social environments, where antisocial punishment has been detected, punishment was detrimental to cooperation. The success of punishment in enhancing cooperation was explained as deterrence of free riders by cooperative strong reciprocators, who were willing to pay the cost of punishing them, whereas in environments in which punishment diminished cooperation, antisocial punishment was explained as revenge by low cooperators against high cooperators suspected of punishing them in previous rounds. The present paper reconsiders the generality of both explanations. Using data from a public goods experiment with punishment, conducted by the authors on Israeli subjects (Study 1), and from a study published in Science using sixteen participant pools from cities around the world (Study 2), we found that: 1. The effect of punishment on the emergence of cooperation was mainly due to contributors increasing their cooperation, rather than from free riders being deterred. 2. Participants adhered to different contribution and punishment strategies. Some cooperated and did not punish (‘cooperators’); others cooperated and punished free riders (‘strong reciprocators’); a third subgroup punished upward and downward relative to their own contribution (‘norm-keepers’); and a small sub-group punished only cooperators (‘antisocial punishers’). 3. Clear societal differences emerged in the mix of the four participant types, with high-contributing pools characterized by higher ratios of ‘strong reciprocators’, and ‘cooperators’, and low-contributing pools characterized by a higher ratio of ‘norm keepers’. 4. The fraction of ‘strong reciprocators’ out of the total punishers emerged as a strong predictor of the groups’ level of cooperation and success in providing the public goods.

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