Unconditional cash transfers & voter turnout

Alexander James, Nathaly M. Rivera and Brock Smith

Economic Inquiry, 2025, vol. 63, issue 3, 805-829

Abstract: We estimate the effect of unconditional cash transfers on voter turnout, leveraging a large‐scale natural experiment, the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program, which has provided residents with a check of varying size 1 month before election day since 1982. We find that larger transfers cause people to vote, especially in gubernatorial elections in which a 10% increase in cash ($190) causes a 1.4 percentage point increase in turnout. Effects are concentrated among the young and poor. Survey data suggests the mechanism is reduced voter apathy. Implications are discussed.

Date: 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1111/ecin.13287

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