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Making Elections Fun

- February 15, 2012

Richard Thaler:

The moral here is simple. If governments want to encourage good citizenship, they should try making the desired behavior more fun.

Elizabeth Addonizio, Donald Green, and James Glaser:<br>

…we set out to explore the feasibility of creating a more celebratory and community-focused atmosphere at the polls. Can the festive, social environment surrounding old-fashioned elections be recreated in ways that increase voter turnout? What would it mean to change the polling environment? Might it change the way that people regard participation in the electoral process?

…On Election Day, the festival took place immediately outside the polling place, on the front lawn of the local middle school. A large tent was set up surrounded by signs encouraging people to enjoy free snacks, drinks, and raffles. A cotton candy machine attracted a steady stream of children, and a professional DJ played upbeat, family-friendly music. People of all ages milled about the party tent. Young children snacked and played catch. Elderly couples took advantage of the chairs around the tent to sit, listen to the music, and eat the free sandwiches we provided. The free food relieved some harried parents of dinner preparation that evening, and they mingled with their friends and neighbors. People at the party seemed aware of the event prior to coming to the polls to vote. They had read the flyer, received the calls, or heard about the various advertised activities from other residents.

And the punchline:<br>

…a festival held in a context where the expected base rate of voting is 50% would produce a turnout rate of 56.5%—a 6.5 percentage-point increase. In a low-turnout (10%) context, [the increase in turnout would be] 2.6 percentage points.

 

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