Turnout in Local Elections: Evidence from Canadian Cities, 2004–2014

Abstract

We provide the first wide-scale analysis of the factors that influence voter turnout in Canadian local elections. Drawing on original data from 300 municipal elections conducted from 2004 to 2014, we use ordinary least squares regression with panel-corrected standard errors for time series cross-sections to test explanatory hypotheses related to differences in institutional design, the social-spatial context of these elections, and local competitiveness. Our results show that, although institutional and sociospatial factors influence local turnout, the competitiveness of elections exercises the greatest influence on local electoral participation.

Women's Municipal Electoral Performance: An Introduction to the Canadian Municipal Elections Database

“…Outside Quebec, such studies have been minimal and sporadic. To our knowledge, past studies have been limited to one study of incumbency advantage (Lucas, 2020b), one survey-based study (Kushner and Siegel, 1997) and one dataset-closest to the one we develop here-of election outcomes in large municipalities across Canada (Breux et al, 2017). These datasets have been limited in scope, and most importantly, they have not been publicly available in accessible formats for other researchers.…”

Who Has School Spirit? Explaining Voter Participation in School Board Elections

“…Though research suggests that many of the factors shaping turnout at higher levels are also active at the local scale (Hamilton, 1971), there are variables that have a unique effect at this level of government. Contextual factors, such as population size (Breux et al, 2017) and the nonpartisan nature of local contests (Schaffner et al, 2001), have been shown to affect turnout in a manner unique to the local level. Individual-level characteristics, such as homeownership and the length of time that one has lived in a municipality, are both known to increase municipal turnout (McGregor and Spicer, 2016;DiPasquale and Glaeser, 1999).…”

Influences on the Number and Gender of Candidates in Canadian Local Elections

“…In addition, participation by female candidates in local races increases voter turnout, particularly among other women (for example, De Paolo et al, 2014). While this affect has been called into question in Canada (Breux et al, 2017; Couture et al, 2014), the prospect of higher turnout as a result of more women participating as candidates justifies a closer examination of the phenomenon of female candidates.…”