An Economic Analysis of Voters' Turnout in Petition Referendums

ICER Working Paper No. 24/2006

19 Pages Posted: 20 Nov 2006

See all articles by Roberto Ricciuti

Roberto Ricciuti

University of Verona - Department of Economics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Date Written: 2006

Abstract

In this paper we analyse four possible variables influencing voters' turnout in petition referendums in Italy: the nature of the issue (efficiency or distributive), the number of referendums voted together, the month in which the referendum is held, and parties' recommendations. The decision to vote or to abstain is important because the Italian Constitution establishes a 50% + 1 voter threshold turnout for the referendum to have legal effects. We find that distributive referendums have higher turnout than efficiency referendums, the higher the number of voters supporting parties that recommends abstention, the lower the turnout, referendums held in June have lower turnout. Finally, up to five referendums there is no effect of the number of referendums voted together on turnout. Starting from these results, we provide some suggestions for reforms.

Note: Downloadable document is in Italian.

Suggested Citation

Ricciuti, Roberto, An Economic Analysis of Voters' Turnout in Petition Referendums (2006). ICER Working Paper No. 24/2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=945365 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.945365

Roberto Ricciuti (Contact Author)

University of Verona - Department of Economics ( email )

Via dell'Artigliere, 8
37129 Verona
Italy

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

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