Abstract
This study investigates voter choices in local re/by-elections, determining whether voters hold the candidate of the same party as the former incumbent accountable. Our findings suggest that the impact of the reasons for the re/by-election varies across election levels. When the reason for removing a municipal government leader is attributed to the incumbent, such as election law violations or personal irregularities, a candidate from the same party as the previous incumbent has a lower chance of winning. In the metropolitan and local council elections, however, there were no significant differences in the probability of winning based on the reason for holding the elections. This disparity highlights a significant difference in voters’ perceptions of the significance of re/by-elections for municipal government leaders versus other local council elections. It also sheds light on a broader trend of voter apathy in South Korea toward local council issues.
BibTeX citation
@article{ParkJung:2023,
Author = {Sanghoon Park, and {Da bin Jung}},
Doi = {10.30992/KPSR.2023.12.31.4.71},
Journal = {Korean Party Studies Review},
Number = {4},
Pages = {71--95},
Title = {Voter Choices in Re/By-Elections: A Study of Local Re/By-Elections Between 2010 and 2021},
Volume = {22},
Year = {2023}}