Trajectories of the personal vote under open-list proportional representation: Evidence from Finland, 1999–2019

Little research has focused on how legislative candidates’ personal electoral support develops over time and why. This study examines the vote trajectories of individual candidates they vary according to vote-earning attributes. Longitudinal data 1700 who between 1999 2019 participated in two or more parliamentary elections Finnish open-list proportional representation system are analysed. The findings show that average candidate’s increases rapidly beginning his her career then slows down gradually time. However, there is large heterogeneity depending socio-demographic characteristics Some enjoy instant success (local councillors celebrity candidates), others do not win votes initially but manage build loyal followings their district receive positive returns from repeated candidacy (young, women, locally rooted candidates).