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Examining the Effects of 2SLGBTQI+ Candidates on...
Journal article

Examining the Effects of 2SLGBTQI+ Candidates on 2SLGBTQI+ Voter Turnout in Canada

Abstract

Affinity theory suggests that 2SLGBTQI+ candidates might empower and motivate 2SLGBTQI+ voters to become more politically engaged because they demonstrate that the political system is open to queer participation and voices. However, most research has focused on high-profile 2SLGBTQI+ candidates. Little attention has been paid to the impact of local candidates, particularly in a multi-party parliamentary system. This paper explores this candidate-voter affinity by incorporating information about the 70 2SLGBTQI+ candidates who ran in the 2021 Canadian federal election into survey results of the 2021 Canadian Election Study (CES). Comparing responses of 2SLGBTQI+ voters in districts with 2SLGBTQI+ candidates to those of 2SLGBTQI+ voters who do not have such candidates to select enables us to demonstrate the impact of these affinities on voter turnout. Our results reveal positive affinities, meaning 2SLGBTQI+ individuals are indeed more likely to vote and their turnout is higher in the districts with 2SLGBTQI+ candidates.

Authors

Everitt J; Ie KW; Bird K; Wagner A; Lalancette M

Journal

Political Research Quarterly, Vol. 78, No. 4, pp. 1273–1285

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Publication Date

December 1, 2025

DOI

10.1177/10659129251355606

ISSN

1065-9129

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