Candidate Ethnic Origins and Voter Preferences: Examining Name Discrimination in Local Elections in Britain

Michael Thrasher, Galina Borisyuk, Colin Rallings, Richard Webber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

<jats:p>This article examines the relationship between candidate names as they appear on the ballot paper and voting patterns in British local elections. Specifically, it explores whether some voters favour candidates with British-sounding names over those whose names suggest either European or non-European ethnic origins. Name classification software identifies three categories of candidate: British, other European and non-European. Separate analyses of aggregate voting data are undertaken of multi-member and single-member electoral districts. Data cover the period 1973–2012, and votes for more than 400,000 candidates are examined. In multi-member districts, after comparing within-party slates and finishing order generally, candidates whose surnames suggest a British ethnic origin perform best, while non-Europeans attract fewer votes. The analysis of single-member districts focuses on a party’s vote share after taking into account the pattern of candidate recruitment across electoral cycles. It shows that vote share is adversely affected when British candidates are replaced by those with European and non-European surnames, while the opposite pattern of succession is associated with a boost in votes. It is clear that the outcome of some elections has been determined by the parties’ choice of candidates.</jats:p>
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)413-435
Number of pages0
JournalBritish Journal of Political Science
Volume47
Issue number2
Early online date2 Jun 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2017

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