Voter Behavior and Retrospective Voting Dynamics

Hard Unit 5: Political Participation Voter Behavior

In the United States, voter behavior can be influenced by psychological factors, including party identification, candidate characteristics, and social identity. These elements contribute to how individuals make their electoral choices. For instance, the phenomenon known as retrospective voting suggests that voters often base their electoral decisions on the assessment of the incumbent's past performance. A situation arises when voters critically evaluate their experiences with the economy, foreign affairs, and domestic policies before casting their votes. Understanding these nuances can provide insights into shifts in voter alignment and turnout during elections.

Reflect on this context and analyze the significance of retrospective voting versus prospective voting—where voters look forward based on promises made by candidates. Which of the following options best describes an aspect of voter behavior that can result from retrospective voting?

Voters are more likely to support candidates who promise change, regardless of their past performance.

Voters who have experienced personal economic hardship may shift their support towards the opposition party.

Voter turnout drastically increases during non-incumbent elections.

Voters prioritize candidate charisma over party ideology when assessing future policies.

Hint

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