Election Festivals and Voter Turnout: An Overview of Recent Research

Abstract

This memo summarizes results from four randomized experiments conducted between 2016 and 2018 that evaluate the effectiveness of election festivals — also referred to by organizers as “celebrations” or “parties”— including festivals held in early voting centers in advance of Election Day. The results suggest that festivals are an effective and cost-effective means for raising voter turnout, especially in the context of early voting sites and presidential elections. We also find evidence that festivals can have “downstream” effects on turnout in subsequent elections; sites that hosted festivals in 2016 saw higher turnout in the 2018 midterm election.

Keywords: voter turnout