Potential Impact of Referenda and Initiatives on Voter Turnout: Evidence from the 1998 General Election

Cebula, Richard and Unemori, Mary (2005): Potential Impact of Referenda and Initiatives on Voter Turnout: Evidence from the 1998 General Election. Published in: International Journal of Business Research , Vol. 6, No. 1 (15 October 2006): pp. 96-101.

Abstract

This empirical study seeks to broaden the interpretation of the “rational voter model” so as to include the potential effects of “direct democracy” on the voter participation rate. Direct democracy is assumed to take two forms: initiatives and referendums. This study tests the hypothesis that initiatives and/or referendums may significantly affect voter turnout because although they may elevate the expected gross benefits of voting by “empowering voters.” Using cross-section analysis for the 50 states for the 1998 general election, this study finds that referendums did significantly increase voter turnout.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: direct democracy; referendums; initiatives; voter turnout
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D71 - Social Choice ; Clubs ; Committees ; Associations; D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D72 - Political Processes: Rent-Seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior; D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D73 - Bureaucracy ; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations ; Corruption; D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D78 - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation

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