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Information, get-out-the-vote messages, and peer influence: causal effects on political behavior in Mozambique

Author

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  • Matilde Gr cio
  • Pedro C. Vicente

Abstract

Political accountability requires informed voters and electoral participation. Both have been lagging in many developing countries like Mozambique. We designed and implemented a field experiment during the 2013 municipal elections in that country. We study the impact on political behavior of location-level distribution of a free newspaper and get-out-the-vote text messages aimed at mobilizing voters. As part of our design, we randomly assigned peers to experimental subjects in order to test for peer influence via text messages. Measurement of political outcomes comes from official electoral results at the level of the polling station, and from a range of behavioral and survey-based measures. We find that the distribution of the newspaper increased turnout and voting for the ruling party. The text messages led to higher political participation. When turning to influencing peers, we observe a clear role of male and older individuals, as well as complementarity with the distribution of newspapers.

Suggested Citation

  • Matilde Gr cio & Pedro C. Vicente, 2020. "Information, get-out-the-vote messages, and peer influence: causal effects on political behavior in Mozambique," NOVAFRICA Working Paper Series wp2009, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics, NOVAFRICA.
    • Handle: RePEc:unl:novafr:wp2009
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    2. Annan,Jeannie & Mousson Estelle Jamel Koussoube & Josephine Tassy & Lea Marie Rouanet & Clara Delavallade & Evans,David, 2025. "Does Free Sound Too Cheap ? The Adverse Effect of a Randomized Text Message Campaign on Program Take-up," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11063, The World Bank.
    3. Fuhrmann-Riebel, Hanna & D'Exelle, Ben & López Vargas, Kristian & Tonke, Sebastian & Verschoor, Arjan, 2024. "Can Reminders Promote Regular Pro-Environmental Behavior? Experimental Evidence from Peru," IZA Discussion Papers 17013, IZA Network @ LISER.
    4. Lai, Weizheng, 2024. "The effect of education on voter turnout in China's rural elections," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 230-247.
    5. Deng, Weiguang & Jiang, Shengjun & Li, Xue & Ye, Maoliang, 2024. "Peer effects in donations: Evidence from random assignment of college roommates," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 631-644.
    6. Alex Armand & Mattia Fracchia & Pedro C. Vicente, 2021. "Let s call! Using the phone to increase acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines," NOVAFRICA Working Paper Series wp2113, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics, NOVAFRICA.
    7. Somdeep Chatterjee & Manhar Manchanda, 2025. "Who benefits from appeals to vote? Evidence from a get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaign in India," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 204(3), pages 483-527, September.
    8. Alex Armand & Mattia Fracchia & Pedro C. Vicente, 2024. "Let's call! Using the phone to increase vaccine acceptance," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 82-106, January.
    9. Keefer, Philip & Vlaicu, Razvan, 2025. "Voting age, information experiments, and political engagement: Evidence from a general election," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    10. Aaron Günther & Niklas Potrafke & Felix Rösel & Timo Wochner, 2025. "Losing Political Representation," CESifo Working Paper Series 12051, CESifo.

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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
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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