Groups in Rational Turnout Models

A model of the strategic calculus of voting that incorporates the behavior of groups is presented. If candidates choose different positions, positive turnout is possible in (partial) equilibrium and is generally larger than that without group rationality. Nevertheless, if candidates are probability maximizers and a unique (general) equilibrium exists, the candidates will choose equivalent positions and turnout will be zero even with group rationality. But if candidates care about both policy and winning, they will choose different positions and cause positive turnout. This turnout will be larger than that that would occur without group rationality. Group rationality, alone, cannot explain positive turnout in a (general) equilibrium theory of elections; it does imply larger turnout in conjunction with policy-oriented candidates than would be predicted solely by individualistic rational behavior.