The effects of amalgamations on voter turnout: Evidence from sub-municipal governments in Portugal

A comparative analysis to depict underlying attributes that might determine successful implementation of local adaptation plans

“…In this latter current of thought, Martins (1995) indicated that amalgamating local small authorities is positive to guarantee a growing citizens’ familiarity and interest in local public affairs, concluding that small municipalities are not linked to higher levels of citizen participation. However, Frandsen (2002) ; Larsen (2002) and Rodrigues and Tavares (2020) have recently reached the opposite conclusion, i.e., the amalgamation of small municipalities has resulted in lower participation in the elections. A possible explanation is that people in larger cities are much less inclined to contact officials, attend to community or organizational meetings, or vote in local elections, i.e., generally speaking, people in big cities are less interested in local affairs ( Oliver, 2000 ).…”