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Apostolic voting

Author

Listed:
  • Ružica Savčić
  • Dimitrios Xefteris

Abstract

We study electoral competition under the so‐called Apostolic voting rule (AVR) in the framework of the Hotelling–Downs model (Osborne 1993). The AVR is a two‐stage election procedure composed of a voting stage and a lottery stage: the voters vote for the candidate they like best, and each of the two most‐voted candidates is elected with even probability. Under standard assumptions regarding the voters’ preferences, we show that the AVR leads to a unique—up to permutations of the players’ identities—equilibrium: only two candidates enter in the electoral race, and they choose distinct policy platforms. This is the first rule proven to support an essentially unique equilibrium in this popular model. Our analysis highlights that, as long as candidates do not compete for a single first place (as in standard plurality or runoff elections) but for a number of them (as under the AVR), strategic incentives alter dramatically and lead to stable and predictable configurations. Le vote apostolique. Dans le cadre du modèle Hotelling–Downs (Osborne, 1993), nous étudions la compétition électorale selon la règle dite du vote apostolique (Apostolic voting rule, AVR). L'AVR est un processus électoral en deux étapes composé d'un vote et d'un tirage au sort : les électeurs votent d'abord pour le candidat qu'ils préfèrent, puis chacun des deux candidats ayant recueilli le plus de voix est élu à probabilité égale. En utilisant des hypothèses types sur les préférences des électeurs, nous montrons que l'AVR aboutit à un équilibre unique pouvant aller jusqu'à la permutation des compétiteurs : seuls deux candidats participent à la course électorale, chacun choisissant une plateforme politique différente. C'est la première règle qui atteste l'existence d'un équilibre fondamentalement unique au sein de ce modèle populaire. Notre analyse montre que tant que les candidats ne concourent pas simplement pour la première place, comme dans les scrutins pluralitaires ou de ballottage traditionnels, mais pour l'une d'entre elles, comme dans l'AVR, les motivations stratégiques changent considérablement et aboutissent à des configurations stables et prévisibles.

Suggested Citation

  • Ružica Savčić & Dimitrios Xefteris, 2021. "Apostolic voting," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(3), pages 1400-1417, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:54:y:2021:i:3:p:1400-1417
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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