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Local High School Closures and Voter Turnout: Evidence from East German Municipalities

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  • Mona Förtsch

Abstract

Do changes in public infrastructure impact voter turnout? After reunification numerous high schools have been closed in East Germany. Difference-in-differences estimations show that high school closures between 1992 and 2010 triggered a decline in voter turnout in the following state election, suggesting a sense of resignation among voters. However, this effect is not mirrored in national elections, indicating that voters do not extend their frustration to a higher level. The decline in voter turnout in state elections is rather short-living. This suggests that while voters may initially react to changes in local public infrastructure, they demonstrate resilience, at least in the medium term.

Suggested Citation

  • Mona Förtsch, 2024. "Local High School Closures and Voter Turnout: Evidence from East German Municipalities," ifo Working Paper Series 411, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifowps:_411
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    File URL: https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/WP-2024-411_schoolclosures_foertsch.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Local schools; Voter turnout; Resilience; Germany; Elections;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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