The impact of cuing candidate quality on female candidates. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cunha Silva, Patrick; Crisp, Brian F.
• Is Part Of: Electoral studies. Volume 64(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Candidate quality -- Voting cues -- Gender -- Free-list proportional representation -- Ecuador -- Honduras -- El Salvador; Elections -- Periodicals; Voting -- Periodicals; 324.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2020.102127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-3794

Abstract

Abstract: How can parties improve the electoral prospects of traditionally under-represented women? We argue that if a party signals that a single female candidate is of high quality, other women appearing on the ballot with her will receive a boost in support. More specifically, if a female candidate heads a party's list in the district, other women from her party will be rewarded with more votes. We test our reasoning by examining the nomination and election of women in three Free-List Proportional Representation systems where voters can cast multiple preference votes for individual candidates. We find robust support for the finding that when voters receive a signal that women can be quality candidates, they tend to reward additional women with preference votes regardless of their rank on the ballot.