The Impact of the Australian ballot on Electoral Behavior in Argentina: Evidence from Córdoba and Santa Fe (2011-2023)
Abstract
This article examines the effects of implementing the Australian ballot (boleta única papel, BUP) in the Argentine provinces of Córdoba and Santa Fe between 2011 and 2023. It focuses on two dimensions of electoral behavior: split-ticket voting, understood as the selection of different parties across multiple races within the same election, and voter fatigue, defined as a decline in attention or engagement as voters progress through the ballot, measured by the incidence of blank and null votes. In contrast to earlier studies focused on initial implementations, this research analyzes a decade of sustained use, allowing for the identification of contextual variations and enduring trends. Based on the findings, the article offers policy recommendations aimed at strengthening future electoral reforms.
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