How Voters Decide

Election: How Voters Decide

Introduction to How Voters Decide

Many Americans identify personally with and maintain a sense of loyalty to either the Democratic or Republican Party. Voters often acquire partisan identification in childhood as a result of parental influence. Issues and policy preferences also influence voters’ choices. For example, concerns about crime may encourage voters to elect the candidate with the strongest platform against it. In addition, the character of a candidate influences voters. Perceptions of honesty, morality, and the ability to lead matter to most voters. Many voters also prefer candidates who share their own racial, religious, or ethnic background.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about How Voters Decide in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to How Voters Decide

In this Section

Election, Voter Registration, Electoral Systems, Election Types, How Voters Decide, Electoral Realignments, Electorate (including Electorate Historical, Electorate Gender, Electorate Race and Social Position, Electorate Property and Poll Tax and Residence) and Electronic Voting (including Electronic Voting Origins and Electronic Voting Problems)