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Ballot Position, Choice Fatigue, and Voter Behaviour

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  • Ned Augenblick
  • Scott Nicholson

Abstract

In this article, we examine the effect of "choice fatigue" on decision making. We exploit a natural experiment in which voters face the same contest at different ballot positions due to differences in the number of local issues on their ballot. Facing more decisions before a given contest significantly increases the tendency to abstain or rely on decision shortcuts, such as voting for the status quo or the first-listed candidate. We estimate that, without choice fatigue, abstentions would decrease by 8%, and 6% of the propositions in our data set would have passed rather than failed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ned Augenblick & Scott Nicholson, 2016. "Ballot Position, Choice Fatigue, and Voter Behaviour," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 83(2), pages 460-480.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:restud:v:83:y:2016:i:2:p:460-480.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/restud/rdv047
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