Andrew Leigh|Tirta Susilo
Is voting skin-deep? Estimating the effect of candidate ballot photographs on election outcomes
Australian National University|Australian National University
northern territory australia ballot papers territory elections depict candidates photographs exploit unusual electoral feature looking effect candidates beauty skin color voting patterns results beauty mixed find strong evidence skin color matters electorates small indigenous population lighterskinned candidates receive votes electorates high number indigenous people darkerskinned candidates rewarded ballot box relationship skin color electoral performance stronger challengers incumbents explain model voters use skin color proxy underlying characteristic value extent share trait