Impact of Second Amendment Sanctuaries on Voter Turnout

• In Event: Gerrymandering, Race and Voting in the US

Abstract

How does "sanctuary" for Second Amendment rights deter or motivate voters? This paper examines the consequences of counties adopting resolutions declaring themselves "Second Amendment Sanctuaries" by defying state and federal laws following the 2018 midterm elections. We develop a theoretical framework for how these protections motivate and de-motivate specific racial groups. Using state-level voter file data, we show the passage of these protections served to empower white voters, increasing their turnout in sanctuary counties. In contrast, these laws acted as deterrents for black voters, leading to significant reductions in their voter participation. Further, we validate these findings using CCES data. These findings underscore the complex role of local government in motivating and intimidating specific racial groups to drive election outcomes.

Authors

• Cassidy Reller, University of Florida

• Alexandra Filindra, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Craig M. Burnett, Hofstra University