(2017) Avenburg, Alejandro; Tribunal Superior Eleitoral
Do voters punish candidates with records of misuse of public funds? I address this
question in the context of the 2008 and 2012 municipal elections for mayor and City
Council legislator in Brazil. I use a unique dataset listing all candidates with accounts
rejection records by any of the 34 Brazilian Audit Courts between 2004 and 2012 and
electoral data. I test the effect of having accounts rejected on subsequent electoral
returns. To test this effect I use matching and difference-in-difference. Results show
evidence that voters punish both candidates for mayor and City Council legislator in
most elections.
