The Implementation of Voting from Abroad: Evidence from the 2014 Turkish Presidential Election

Abstract

Voting from abroad (VFA) is a complex norm and practice due to the multilevel processes, structures and actors involved. This article explores the reasons behind the eventual adoption of this practice within the context of a long and well-known history of emigration in Turkey. During the 2014 Turkish presidential election, emigrants from Turkey were finally allowed to participate from abroad even though legislation giving them this right has been in place since 1995. Based on archival research and fieldwork in Germany and the United States, this article discusses the varying relevance of three central explanatory factors to the implementation of VFA: emigrant lobbying, the electoral expectations of potential benefit by the governing party, and the presence of broader, state-led diaspora engagement policies. The first of these is important but insufficient, whereas the second factor is necessary. Moreover, the presence of broader, state-led diaspora engagement policies is a mediating factor. This article finds that specific actors like political parties may play the crucial role, highlighting the need for critical examination of their role in the implementation process.

European ruling parties’ electoral strategies and overseas enfranchisement policies

“…Many Turks overseas resembled the typical AKP voters in Turkey, only they had emigrated to Europe in the early 1960s. Emigrants who had left in the 1970s and later, due to oppression from secular regimes or the military, were also sympathetic to the new government, which in turn supported them (Şahin‐Mencütek & Erdoğan ). Overseas Turks, perceived by previous governments as temporary emigrants whose remittances would strengthen the country's economy, were now seen by the governing AKP as permanent fixtures abroad meant to serve their country as ambassadors and allies in interactions with the West (Unver ).…”

Indonesian Voting from Abroad: Highly Educated Citizen Participation in the 2019 Election at Tokyo Polling Station

“…Furthermore, studies on the implementation of out-of-country voting in developing countries are still limited. Among them are Alarcon Jr (Alarcon Jr, 2012) and (Kaario, 2018) who explored overseas voting in the Philippines, Low (Low, 2018), who explored overseas voting in Malaysia;and Şahin-Mencütek & Erdoğan (Şahin-Mencütek & Erdoğan, 2016) and Sevi et al (Sevi et al, 2020), who studied Turkey's external voting. Unlike Indonesia, these countries do not have long experience in implementing voting from abroad.…”

What Determines Voting Behaviors of Muslim Minorities in Europe: Muslim Identity or Left‐Right Ideology?

“…Second, many emigrants maintain their Turkish citizenship, making them potential voters also in Turkey. Around 5% of voters (2.8 million) in Turkey reside abroad, with 2.5 million in Western Europe, and around 200,000 in Belgium (Mencutek, 2015;Mencutek & Yilmaz, 2016). Third, research evidence suggests a sharp contrast in their voting strategies as they vote for right-wing parties in Turkey (Mencutek & Yilmaz, 2016) and left-wing parties in Europe, including Belgium.…”

“…Around 5% of voters (2.8 million) in Turkey reside abroad, with 2.5 million in Western Europe, and around 200,000 in Belgium (Mencutek, 2015;Mencutek & Yilmaz, 2016). Third, research evidence suggests a sharp contrast in their voting strategies as they vote for right-wing parties in Turkey (Mencutek & Yilmaz, 2016) and left-wing parties in Europe, including Belgium. Despite being conservative in social issues, most Muslim minorities vote for left-wing parties in their country of residence (Dancygier, 2017).…”