In autocratic regimes, citizens often face a tension between their civic duty to participate in society and the act of voting.

Data & Methods: This study analyzes survey responses and election data from multiple autocracies across different continents.

The research employs mixed-methods analysis, combining quantitative statistical models with qualitative case studies. It examines how citizens' understanding of civic duty influences their electoral behavior despite institutional constraints.

Key Findings:

• A majority of surveyed citizens in autocratic states express a strong sense of civic duty but choose not to vote actively

• This discrepancy stems from perceived government control over elections, leading many to view voting as ineffective or manipulated

• Despite this, active participation occurs through alternative channels like social media and civil society groups

The analysis reveals that while citizens feel obligated to contribute to their societies' well-being in some form, they strategically differentiate between civic duties and political processes within autocratic systems.