The Impact of District Magnitude on Voter Drop‐Off and Roll‐Off in American Elections

Paul S. Herrnson; Jeffrey A. Taylor; James M. Curry

doi:10.1111/lsq.12091

journal article Oct 23, 2015

The Impact of District Magnitude on Voter Drop‐Off and Roll‐Off in American Elections

Paul S. Herrnson Jeffrey A. Taylor James M. Curry

Legislative Studies Quarterly Vol. 40 No. 4 pp. 627-650 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/lsq.12091

Abstract

This study demonstrates that multimember districts (MMDs) complicate ballots, reduce voter information, and increase incentives for strategic voting in ways that reduce voter participation. Using data from three states that elect members of at least one legislative chamber from both single‐member districts (SMDs) and MMDs, we test hypotheses about the impact on MMDs on ballot drop‐off (selecting fewer candidates for an office than permissible) and roll‐off (not voting in down‐ballot races). We find support for both sets of hypotheses, with the strongest results related to ballot drop‐off. The results have broad implications for voter participation, representation, and election administration in the many states and localities that use MMDs to elect public officials.

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Details

Published: Oct 23, 2015
Vol/Issue: 40(4)
Pages: 627-650
License: View

Authors

P

Paul S. Herrnson

University of Connecticut

ICF International

University of Utah

Cite This Article

Paul S. Herrnson, Jeffrey A. Taylor, James M. Curry (2015). The Impact of District Magnitude on Voter Drop‐Off and Roll‐Off in American Elections. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 40(4), 627-650. https://doi.org/10.1111/lsq.12091

The Impact of District Magnitude on Voter Drop‐Off and Roll‐Off in American Elections

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