A Woman From Here: Gender, Local Roots, and Voter Mobilisation

Are women more likely to vote when a woman from their local area becomes politically salient? Two strands of research suggest they might: work on descriptive representation shows that female politicians can mobilise women voters through role-model effects, while other studies suggest that candidates with local roots can generate higher turnout in their hometowns. Yet we know little about how gender and local identities interact in shaping political participation. This paper argues that women with local ties are uniquely positioned to activate multiple group identities and boost turnout. Using original data from Italy, I examine whether the emergence of locally rooted female political elites – candidates, legislators, and ministers – increases turnout among women in their hometowns. Additionally, I investigate whether female political elites also affect the propensity of women in the local area to run for office. To identify causal effects, I employ staggered difference-in-differences designs and matching methods. This study will contribute new evidence on the relationship between social identities, descriptive representation, and political participation.