Upturning the turnout voting upside down: the case of the Arab local government in Israel

This study challenges the conventional assumption that high voter turnout signifies a well-functioning democracy and government legitimacy. In the case of Arab local elections in Israel, exceptionally high turnout–often exceeding 90%—does not reflect deep democratic engagement or civic virtue but rather the enduring influence of hamula (clan) structures. The study demonstrates that hamula-based affiliations are the strongest predictor of voter participation. The findings suggest a broad reconceptualisation of local government, challenging the conventional view that it is merely an administrative body responsible for service provision and improving living conditions, or a platform for promoting democratic values. Local government operates primarily as an arena of power where actors compete for influence and authority. The findings suggest that high voter turnout, rather than indicating strong civic participation, is a symptom of a democratic deficit, as elections serve as a mechanism for reinforcing traditional power structures.