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Referendum design, quorum rules and turnout

Public Choice volume 144, pages 63–81 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

In this article, we focus on the consequences of quorum requirements for turnout in referendums. We use a rational choice, decision theoretic voting model to demonstrate that participation quorums change the incentives some electors face, inducing those who oppose changes in the status quo and expect to be in the minority to abstain. As a result, paradoxically, participation quorums decrease electoral participation. We test our model’s predictions using data for all referendums held in current European Union countries from 1970 until 2007, and show that the existence of a participation quorums increases abstention by more than ten percentage points.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Economics Department, NIPE and University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Luís Aguiar-Conraria

  2. Social Sciences Institute, University of Lisbon, Av. Professor Aníbal de Bettencourt 9, Lisbon, 1600-189, Portugal

    Pedro C. Magalhães

Authors
  1. Luís Aguiar-Conraria
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  2. Pedro C. Magalhães
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Correspondence to Luís Aguiar-Conraria.

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Aguiar-Conraria, L., Magalhães, P.C. Referendum design, quorum rules and turnout. Public Choice 144, 63–81 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11127-009-9504-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11127-009-9504-1

Keywords

  • Referendum design
  • Voter turnout

JEL Classification

  • D72
  • C25
  • C20