Incentivizing Voting Turnout through Gifts and Promotions: An Analysis of 'The Civic Thumb' Program in Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of the get-out-the-vote program ´el Gordo Cívico´ which translates to ´The Civic Thumb´ implemented in the state of Chihuahua in Mexico on electoral participation. Using a Difference-in-Difference design, with the states of Sinaloa and Zacatecas as control cases, evidence was found that suggests that this program has not met its goal of incentivizing participation. A triple Difference-in-Difference design was used to explore if the program may have only had an effect on urban municipalities. The results of these additional estimations confirmed that, at least at the municipality level, the program did not increased turnout.