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The Synergistic Effect of Campaign Effort and Election Reform on Voter Turnout in State Legislative Elections

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2021

Peter L. Francia  and
Paul S. Herrnson
Peter L. Francia
Affiliation:
University of Maryland
Paul S. Herrnson
Affiliation:
University of Maryland
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Abstract

This study assesses the impact of campaign effort and election reform on voter turnout in state legislative elections. It uses a nationwide survey of state legislative candidates to measure various campaign activities and combines this information with data on election laws, political conditions, and district-level demographics. The primary finding is that candidate expenditures, party get-out-the-vote efforts, and Election Day registration laws have a synergistic effect on turnout. Campaign efforts heighten citizen interest in politics close to the election, often after registration deadlines have passed. Unlike other election reforms, Election Day registration allows citizens' late-campaign interest to be translated into increased voter turnout.

Type
Research Article
Information
State Politics & Policy Quarterly , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , Spring 2004 , pp. 74 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

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