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Race and Gender Affinities in Voting: Experimental Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Penney, Jeffrey
  • Tolley, Erin
  • Goodyear-Grant, Elizabeth

Abstract

We analyze the results of a large-scale experiment wherein subjects participate in a hypothetical primary election and must choose between two fictional candidates who vary by sex and race. We find evidence of affnities along these dimensions in voting behaviour. A number of phenomena regarding these affnities and their interactions are detailed and explored. We find that they compete with each other on the basis of race and gender. Neuroeconomic metrics suggest that people who vote for own race candidates tend to rely more on heuristics than those who do not.

Suggested Citation

  • Penney, Jeffrey & Tolley, Erin & Goodyear-Grant, Elizabeth, 2016. "Race and Gender Affinities in Voting: Experimental Evidence," Queen's Economics Department Working Papers 274696, Queen's University - Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:quedwp:274696
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.274696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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