Voter Abstention and Spoiled Ballots in Mexico: an Econometric Model of Determinants
25 Pages Posted: 22 May 2014 Last revised: 13 Jul 2014
Date Written: 2014
Abstract
This paper analyzes the determinants of voter abstention and spoiled ballots at Mexican municipal elections. We use a local elections data base from 2006-2008 to estimate an electoral behavior model in which local economic variables are included in quadratic form, so that non-linear effects can be taken into account. Empirical results indicate that marginalization exhibits a U-shaped relationship with the voter abstention. While the evidence suggests a linear relationship between the percentage of spoiled ballots and marginalization. Furthermore, we find supportive evidence of the existence of a direct relationship between competitiveness and electoral turnout.
Keywords: Voter abstention, spoiled ballots, political competition, marginalization, economic conditions.
JEL Classification: D72, H7
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation