Another brick in the wall. Immigration and electoral preferences: Direct evidence from state ballots

We study the impact of immigration on electoral outcomes at the census tract level in California between 2010 and 2018. Information on actual ballot propositions is used to investigate immigrant‐related motives underlying a shift in political preferences. A rise in immigration is associated with a decrease in the support for Democratic candidates and measures. This effect is driven by policies pertaining to redistribution, public good provision, and justice/crime. It is stronger when immigrants are less assimilated and originate from poor and culturally distant countries.