Citizen candidates in the lab: Rules, costs, and positions

We report the findings from a study that explores candidate participation in a context where citizens can become candidates under both plurality and run-off voting systems. The study also considers the influence of entry costs and different platforms of potential candidates. While our findings align with the expected outcomes of the citizen-candidate model, there is a notable over-participation by candidates from less favorable electoral positions. These entry patterns adjusted well to the QRE. This research adds to the existing body of knowledge about what motivates candidates to enter races under different voting systems and analyzes the behavior of candidates in extreme positions. •Experimental study of candidate entry under different electoral systems.•The study finds that the comparative predictions of the citizen-candidate model hold.•Over-entry from electorally disadvantaged positions observed.•Importance of considering electorally disadvantaged positions in candidate entry models.•Implications for electoral outcomes and candidate behavior.