ABECEDA AKO NÁSTROJ ÚSPECHU. PRÍPAD REGIONÁLNYCH VOLIEB NA SLOVENSKU

This paper deals with the name order of candidates and its influence on results in regional elections in Slovakia. Using a dataset of 8,881 persons we found that candidates with names from both the beginning and the end of the alphabet are clearly advantaged when compared to their rivals. These candidates occupy the front and bottom positions on the ballot lists what increases their likelihood of becoming elected. Hence the system used in regional elections in Slovakia fails to be neutral as it treats the candidates differently on an unjustifiable basis.