Jenny Hald
Research Mentor(s): Kenneth Kollman
Mentor Department: Political Science & International Institute
Authors:
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 32
Abstract
The two-round system (TRS), also known as the double ballot system, is a plurality-majority system used for parliamentary elections. In this type of voting system, if no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first round, the top two candidates proceed to a second round in which all other candidates are excluded. The two-round system is surprisingly common among single-winner electoral systems, despite its higher financial costs and potential instability due to delays in declaring the results. This extra round of voting also places an additional burden on the voter, and can lead to discrepancies in voter turnout in the first and second round. This research poster uses data from the Constituency-Level Election Archive to identify voter turnout trends in the lower house election of France 2024, where TRS historically first emerged. The analysis also explores whether voter turnout varies across constituencies when a far-right party advances to the second round, compared to when there is no far-right party in the second round. Results are still pending, yet we can make assumptions about what such a study could contribute to. Understanding the voter-turnout dynamics in TRS elections sheds light on voter engagement and priorities. On a larger scale, it emphasizes systematic challenges of multi-round voting, including how the advancement of far-right parties to the second round may influence turnout across constituencies, providing insights for policymakers aiming to enhance electoral participation.
