Inequality aversion and voting on redistribution

► We study majority voting on redistribution in an experiment. ► We show that the pivotality of fair-minded voters depends on the structure of income classes. ► The effects of given fairness motives on redistribution outcomes are asymmetric. ► Fairness motives tend to matter when few fair-minded voters suffice to tip the balance. ► Such motives tend not to matter in the aggregate when many fair-minded voters are needed.