2025/09/23 by Miroslav Nemčok · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Populism, Right-Wing Movements #Social Policy and Reform Studies
paper · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197777497.013.0024
openalex publication_date 2025/09/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract Special voting arrangements intended to increase the convenience of voting—such as early voting, mobile ballot boxes, postal voting, remote online voting, and proxy voting—are widely implemented across the world alongside traditional voting at polling stations on election day. These vote facilitation instruments are designed to assist voters who face difficulties in reaching polling stations on election day, whether due to geographic distance, time constraints, or health conditions. However, voting outside the controlled environment of polling stations typically involves more relaxed administrative procedures, which can raise concerns about electoral integrity. This chapter introduces special voting arrangements and presents their implementation worldwide. It also systematizes current research on their effects, drawing on two key theoretical frameworks: rational choice theory and the human reflexivity approach. The review of existing research indicates that while these voting arrangements have a limited effect on increasing electoral participation, the relaxation of administrative rules—despite limited evidence suggesting it complicates adjudication of electoral regulations—undermines perception of electoral integrity among some voters. Thus, election authorities must carefully balance the goal of increasing convenience, which may potentially lead to higher participation, with the imperative of safeguarding electoral integrity.