New research examines how voter purges affect election participation.
This study analyzes Florida's 2012 effort to purge suspected non-citizens from its voter rolls. The question addressed: Would this perceived attack increase voting rates?
Using difference-in-difference and matching analyses, the findings reveal a positive effect of being challenged during the purge process—especially for Hispanic voters.
Implications:
✅ Perceived attacks on franchise can paradoxically motivate participation
✅ Existing voter rolls should be carefully protected from unnecessary challenges
The study suggests that psychological reactance theory helps explain increased voting rates among those targeted by election administration changes.
