Closeness and voter turnout

Abstract: In this paper I examine how closeness between the traditional political blocks affects voter turnout in the Swedish municipal elections 2014 and 2018. The results of the two elections shows that closeness between the traditional blocks is not a relevant factor for individuals when they decide to vote or abstain. The voter turnout do not increases when its close between the political blocks. The rapport argument for the complexity in predicting coalition government in multi-party systems. This makes voters consider other factors then closness when they decide to vote or abstain. Despite the none statistic significant results of closeness and turnout, the most relevant factors when individuals decide to vote or abstain is based on socioeconomic variabels. The voter turnout is therefore more likley to be affected by socioeconomic characteristics than a tight race between political blocks.