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Mobilize for Our Lives? School Shootings and Democratic Accountability in U.S. Elections

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  • HASSELL, HANS J. G.
  • HOLBEIN, JOHN B.
  • BALDWIN, MATTHEW

Abstract

Gun violence is a large and growing problem in the United States. Many reformers look towards elections to spur policy change in this area. In this paper, we explore the effects of school shootings on electoral mobilization and election outcomes. We pair data from several sources that measure validated voter registration; validated voter turnout; and the electoral performance of officials at the local, state, and federal levels with regression discontinuity and panel methods. Our effects show that shootings have little to no effect on electoral outcomes in the United States. Our work demonstrates that even when tragic events occur that are squarely in the realm of elected officials’ responsibility, have high levels of issue salience, are highly-covered by the media, draw citizens’ attention, and (perhaps) shift public opinion, these seemingly favorable conditions may not be enough to elicit democratic accountability.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassell, Hans J. G. & Holbein, John B. & Baldwin, Matthew, 2020. "Mobilize for Our Lives? School Shootings and Democratic Accountability in U.S. Elections," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 114(4), pages 1375-1385, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:114:y:2020:i:4:p:1375-1385_30
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    Cited by:

    1. Amarasinghe, Ashani, 2023. "Public sentiment in times of terror," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    2. Cristiana Fiorelli & Nicola Pontarollo & Carolina Serpieri, 2022. "Legislative interventions for the Italian local public financial distress," Working Papers in Public Economics 219, University of Rome La Sapienza, Department of Economics and Law.
    3. Oliver Engist & Felix Schafmeister, 2022. "Do political protests mobilize voters? Evidence from the Black Lives Matter protests," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 193(3), pages 293-313, December.

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