The big brothers: measuring influence of large firms on electoral mobilization in Russia

This paper delves into the engagement of big local business entities in the mobilization efforts during the Russian presidential and parliamentary elections spanning from 2012 to 2021. The research attempts to assess to what extent these mobilization efforts are effective. Using comprehensive data covering all economic entities in Russia, the study shows that a smaller geographical distance between a large economic entity and the local electoral committee not only increases voter turnout but also contributes to protest voting in larger localities, while in smaller localities electoral mobilization achieves its goal and benefits the vote share of the dominant party and the incumbent.