Asymmetric Partisan Voter Turnout Games

Abstract

Since Downs proposed that the act of voting is irrational in 1957, myriad models have been proposed to explain voting and account for observed turnout patterns. We propose a model in which partisans consider both the instrumental and expressive benefits of their vote when deciding whether or not to abstain in an election, introducing an asymmetry that most other models do not consider. Allowing learning processes within our electorate, we analyze what turnout states are rationalizable under various conditions. Our model predicts comparative statics that are consistent with voter behavior. Furthermore, relaxing some of our preliminary assumptions eliminates some of the discrepancies between our model and empirical voter behavior.