New research reveals that voters who cohabit shortly before an election show a substantial jump in turnout.
## Using Administrative Data
This study analyzes detailed records from validated administrative datasets tracking housing changes and voting patterns.
## Key Findings
• Voter turnout increases by 3.5 to 10.6 percentage points after cohabitation depending on model specifications • The boost occurs regardless of previous election behavior or their partner's history • Results remain robust even when controlling for singles who move during the same period • Cohabitants are mobilized at election time through social norms
## Political Implications
These findings highlight how household formation acts as a catalyst for electoral participation. Moving together creates an environment where voting becomes more normalized, increasing turnout significantly.
| Living Together, Voting Together: Voters Moving in Together Before an Election Have Higher Turnout was authored by Jens Olav Dahlgaard, Yosef Bhatti, Jonas Hedegaard Hansen and Kasper M. Hansen. It was published by Cambridge in BJPS in 2022. |
