Does participating in debates change voters' minds? Field experiments during Ghana's 2016 parliamentary elections reveal that candidate debates improved voter assessments of candidates, particularly partisan voters who reacted most strongly to policy information. These partisans became more favorable toward opponent-party candidates and less likely to support co-partisans after exposure to policy-centered debates.
Experimental Findings
- Debates measurably enhanced the evaluation of candidates' quality and policy positions.
- The impact was strongest among partisan voters, whose opinions shifted most significantly.
- Strong partisans showed increased openness to opponent perspectives.
- Voters in competitive communities exhibited longer-lasting attitudinal changes after debates compared to those in party strongholds.
Real-World Implications
- Policy-focused debate formats can potentially mitigate partisan polarization, especially when debates occur during election periods.
