Working Paper
Local High School Closures and Voter Turnout: Evidence from East German Municipalities
Mona Förtsch
ifo Institute, Munich, 2024
ifo Working Paper No. 411
ifo Institute, Munich, 2024
ifo Working Paper No. 411
![](https://www.ifo.de/DocImg/WP-2024-411_schoolclosures_foertsch.jpg?c=1718786480)
Do changes in public infrastructure impact voter turnout? After reunification numerous high schools have been closed in East Germany. Difference-in-differences estimations show that high school closures between 1992 and 2010 triggered a decline in voter turnout in the following state election, suggesting a sense of resignation among voters. However, this effect is not mirrored in national elections, indicating that voters do not extend their frustration to a higher level. The decline in voter turnout in state elections is rather short-living. This suggests that while voters may initially react to changes in local public infrastructure, they demonstrate resilience, at least in the medium term.
Schlagwörter: Local schools, Voter turnout, Resilience, Germany, Elections
JEL Klassifikation: D720, H400, R100