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Effects of Photo ID Laws on Registration and Turnout: Evidence from Rhode Island

Author

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  • Francesco Maria Esposito
  • Diego Focanti
  • Justine S. Hastings

Abstract

We study the effect of photo ID laws on voting using a difference-in-differences estimation approach around Rhode Island’s implementation of a photo ID law. We employ anonymized administrative data to measure the law’s impact by comparing voting behavior among those with drivers’ licenses versus those without, before versus after the law. Turnout, registration, and voting conditional on registration fell for those without licenses after the law passed. We do not find evidence that people proactively obtained licenses in anticipation of the law, nor do we find that they substituted towards mail ballots which do not require a photo ID.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Maria Esposito & Diego Focanti & Justine S. Hastings, 2019. "Effects of Photo ID Laws on Registration and Turnout: Evidence from Rhode Island," NBER Working Papers 25503, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25503
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cobb, Rachael V. & Greiner, D. James & Quinn, Kevin M., 2012. "Can Voter ID Laws Be Administered in a Race-Neutral Manner? Evidence from the City of Boston in 2008," Quarterly Journal of Political Science, now publishers, vol. 7(1), pages 1-33, March.
    2. Guido W. Imbens, 2004. "Nonparametric Estimation of Average Treatment Effects Under Exogeneity: A Review," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 86(1), pages 4-29, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Billings, Stephen B. & Braun, Noah & Jones, Daniel & Shi, Ying, 2022. "Disparate Racial Impacts of Shelby County v. Holder on Voter Turnout," IZA Discussion Papers 15829, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    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
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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