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Constituency size and turnout in mixed electoral systems

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  • Alex Keena

    (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Abstract

Scholars of democratic representation argue that polity size affects political representation in a multitude of ways. Studies of elections consistently show a negative correlation between population size and political participation, particularly in first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections. Less research has investigated the effects of size scaling in mixed electoral systems. I posit that tier linkage is critical in determining whether or not mixed systems using FPTP are subject to the “size effect”. To test this hypothesis, I study recent legislative election returns from 10 national assemblies. I find that unlinked systems using “parallel voting” tiers are vulnerable to the size effect on turnout. In five out of the six assemblies that use parallel voting, there is a negative association between turnout and constituency population size. By contrast, in the remaining four assemblies that use tier linkage, there is not a negative correlation between turnout and size with the exception of South Korea, which recently adopted reforms. The results underscore the potential of seat and/or vote linkage to improve representational outcomes in mixed systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Keena, 2025. "Constituency size and turnout in mixed electoral systems," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 204(1), pages 169-180, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:204:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11127-025-01274-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-025-01274-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oliver, J. Eric, 2000. "City Size and Civic Involvement in Metropolitan America," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 94(2), pages 361-373, June.
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    6. Alessia de Santo & Benoît Le Maux, 2023. "On the optimal size of legislatures: An illustrated literature review," Post-Print hal-03903790, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jarosław Flis & Bernard Grofman & Marek M. Kaminski, 2025. "Mixed electoral systems: an introduction to the special issue," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 204(1), pages 1-14, July.

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