When faced with elite polarization, citizens take sides: The 2017 election in Catalonia

ABSTRACT There is considerable evidence that elite polarization influences ordinary citizens. However, existing research ignores moderate citizens in conflicts opposing elites. We consider the exceptional election held in Catalonia in December 2017 following a period of intense conflict surrounding an illegal independence referendum. We assess the reactions of moderate voters to the referendum conflict. We find that many of them, despite their nuanced positions in the broader conflict, took clear positions in response to the increased polarization between pro- and anti-secessionist elites, which led them to shift their votes to parties with clearer and more extreme positions in the conflict. We conclude that elite polarization forces moderates to take sides.