@article{EichhornLinhart2025, author = {Eichhorn, Kristin and Linhart, Eric}, title = {Patterns of Competitiveness in Russian Gubernatorial Elections}, series = {International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society}, volume = {38}, journal = {International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society}, publisher = {Springer}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-18497}, pages = {215 -- 240}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Competitiveness in electoral authoritarian regimes is compromised by management of the electoral arena through various kinds of manipulation. This study links two dimensions of competitiveness, namely fairness and contestation. We analyze the regional heterogeneity of both dimensions for Russian gubernatorial elections held between 2012 and 2019. To assess competitiveness, we use crowd-sourced electoral observation reports and data from the Central Election Commission. Our analysis reveals significant regional variation in both dimensions. Nevertheless, opposition victories are rare and only occur in exceptional cases. Low levels of electoral malpractices seem to be a necessary but not sufficient condition for close election results. Windows of opportunity for the opposition arise only if the regime misperceives the closeness of the race and if the opposition nominates prominent candidates. Overall, these findings shed light on the complex factors influencing the competitiveness of elections in electoral authoritarian regimes like Russia.}, language = {en} } @article{Eichhorn2023, author = {Eichhorn, Kristin}, title = {Selecting the Electorate: Disenfranchisement and Selective Voter Registration in Electoral Autocracies}, series = {Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science}, volume = {55}, journal = {Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science}, publisher = {International Association for Political Science Students}, address = {Montr{\´e}al}, issn = {2414-6633}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-18048}, pages = {63 -- 83}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Autocrats utilize (nominally) democratic elections, to claim procedural legitimation. To secure their political survival in these elections, they have an extensive menu of manipulation at their disposal. These manipulations are not only addressed at contestation but also inclusiveness of the elections. Although autocrats formally claim universal suffrage, informal restrictions and practices are implemented. Analyzing elections held between 1970 and 2020 in electoral autocracies, I find empiric evidence for strategic adjustments of suffrage rights as a response to electoral contexts.}, language = {en} }