Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
2022
Department
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Abstract
Voter preferences and valuation of public goods are often estimated using aggregated votes matched with Census data at the same spatial scale. However, this method may yield biased estimates for two reasons we examine in this paper: using Census data ignores the selection process of who votes, and relying on comparisons between aggregated units makes models susceptible to omitted variable bias. To assess bias, we use both Monte Carlo simulation and a case study regarding a statewide environmental bond referendum for which we have collected aggregate data and individual exit poll data. Our results confirm the two sources of bias and show that aggregate model regression coefficients can be incorrect in magnitude and even sign. We conclude that using aggregate data will likely lead to incorrect assessment of valuation and distributional impacts of public good provision.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of Environmental Economics and Management
Volume
111
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Lang, C., & Pearson-Merkowitz, S. (2022). Aggregate data yield biased estimates of voter preferences. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 111, 102604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2021.102604
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2021.102604
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