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Registration costs and voter turnout

Author

Listed:
  • Bhatt, Rachana
  • Dechter, Evgenia
  • Holden, Richard

Abstract

We exploit a natural experiment in Massachusetts in 2012 to estimate the causal effect of lowering voter information and registration costs on: voter registration, turnout and voting behavior in presidential elections. Both a within-Massachusetts specification and a cross-state specification (utilizing Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire data) show a statistically significant effect on voter registration and turnout that is of a material magnitude. However, conditional on registration we find no material difference in turnout. Finally, we find a large treatment effect on Democrat voteshare. Our results highlight the importance of voter registration and information costs for electoral participation, especially for citizens from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhatt, Rachana & Dechter, Evgenia & Holden, Richard, 2020. "Registration costs and voter turnout," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 91-104.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:176:y:2020:i:c:p:91-104
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.04.017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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