Municipal Campaigns on Facebook: What influences the scope of engagement and does it win votes?

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1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The paper examines which variables predict engagement on Facebook pages of candidates running in municipal elections, and whether candidate Facebook activity predicts vote share as much as institutional and population-level variables. Using the Facebook activity of 387 candidates running in municipal elections in Israel as a case study, it was found that institutional variables, primarily number of candidates, incumbency status and size of constituency, significantly correlate with candidate vote share. Number of likes candidates receive for their Facebook posts mediates a weak relationship between number of posts the candidate uploads to the platform, number of page fans and population size, to candidate vote shares. Number of candidates and incumbency status are the strongest indicators of candidate vote share. The findings suggest that Facebook activity is a significant, positive, but weak indicator of municipal election results.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 22nd Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research
Subtitle of host publicationDigital Innovations for Public Values: Inclusive Collaboration and Community, DGO 2021
EditorsJooho Lee, Gabriela Viale Pereira, Sungsoo Hwang
Pages104-112
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781450384926
DOIs
StatePublished - 9 Jun 2021
Event22nd Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research: Digital Innovations for Public Values: Inclusive Collaboration and Community, DGO 2021 - Virtual, Online, United States
Duration: 9 Jun 202111 Jun 2021

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Conference

Conference22nd Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research: Digital Innovations for Public Values: Inclusive Collaboration and Community, DGO 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Online
Period9/06/2111/06/21

Keywords

  • Engagement
  • Facebook
  • Municipal Government
  • Political Communication
  • Social Media
  • e-Campaigning

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