Journal article
Understanding preferences for comprehensive electoral reform in the United States
Social science quarterly, Vol.103(7), pp.1523-1538
12/28/2022
DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13220
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study is to examine whether Americans have a latent attitude toward comprehensive electoral reform the determinants of this attitu. Methods The article creates and validates an index of election reform attitudes; examines the independent and interactive roles of partisanship, political interest, electoral fortunes, and satisfaction with democracy on these attitudes. Results While a majority of Americans favor comprehensive election reform, this desire is strongest among Democrats, independents, people who feel they regularly lose in elections, and individuals who are dissatisfied with democracy, with no independent effect of political interest. Multivariate results find the effect of partisanship is conditioned by whether the respondent feels they generally win or lose in elections and satisfaction with democracy. Partisanship also interacts with political interest. More interested Democrats (Republicans) are more (less) supportive of comprehensive reform. Independents who are electoral losers or dissatisfied with government strongly favor election reform and resemble Democrats, while independents who feel they regularly win or are more satisfied are more opposed and resemble Republicans. Conclusion Two-thirds of Americans favor modernizing and updating U.S. election laws, but these attitudes are colored by partisanship, with evidence suggesting both elite messaging and expected electoral advantage as potential influences. Additionally, asymmetric partisan interactive effects are uncovered.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Understanding preferences for comprehensive electoral reform in the United States
- Creators
- Joseph Coll - Sewanee: The University of the SouthCaroline Tolbert - University of IowaMichael Ritter - Washington State University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Social science quarterly, Vol.103(7), pp.1523-1538
- DOI
- 10.1111/ssqu.13220
- ISSN
- 0038-4941
- eISSN
- 1540-6237
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 16
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/21/2022
- Date published
- 12/28/2022
- Academic Unit
- Center for Social Science Innovation; Public Policy Center (Archive); Political Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984323230302771
Metrics
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