Abstract
ABSTRACT In response to losses of open space, local voter referenda have become a popular and effective means to raise funding for land conservation in the US. This paper provides empirical evidence on the effects of disasters on the success of voter referenda for open-space conservation. Our results show that voters become less supportive of subsequent ballot measures if their communities recently experienced a major disaster. The preferred specification reveals that a recent major disaster is associated with an 8.4% reduction in the odds of a ‘yes’ vote. We find further evidence that the effect is especially strong for referenda using tax increases to fund preservation. This disaster effect, however, is temporary rather than permanent. For disaster events occurring more than 12 months prior to a referendum, we find that the effect is no longer statistically significant.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
