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Representation increases participation: evidence from a reform in Chile

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  • Christian Salas

    (Bates White LLC)

Abstract

This paper presents evidence that greater representation encourages electoral participation. I exploit an electoral reform in 2015 Chile that changed the extent to which each district is represented in the national congress, differentially across districts. Using voter participation in the first round of 2017’s election, which included votes for president and both chambers of congress, I find that voter participation rose (or fell less) in districts where congressional representation increased. A placebo test using participation in the second round of the presidential election, which did not select the legislative branch, shows no effect of the change in parliamentary representation.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Salas, 2022. "Representation increases participation: evidence from a reform in Chile," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 191(1), pages 21-30, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:191:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11127-021-00948-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-021-00948-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Representation; Participation; Turnout; Legislative election;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • K16 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Election Law
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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