Voter Abstention and Spoiled Ballots in Mexico: an Econometric Model of Determinants

25 Pages Posted: 22 May 2014 Last revised: 13 Jul 2014

See all articles by Irvin Soto

Irvin Soto

Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa

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

Soto, Irvin, Voter Abstention and Spoiled Ballots in Mexico: an Econometric Model of Determinants (2014). The Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Sydney Paper​, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2440162 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2440162

Irvin Soto (Contact Author)

Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa ( email )

Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez
Culiacán, 80000
Mexico
+52 6677133803 (Phone)

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