Our new spatial voting model explains why congressional candidates adopt more extreme ideological positions than their constituents' preferences. Unlike standard models, we find that voters in the candidate's own party tolerate extremism without imposing electoral penalties.
This study validates a novel experimental design linking spatial voting theory with text-based policy position measurement.
Spatial voting theory assumes electorates base candidate choices on well-structured policy preferences. Behavioral research contends these preferences are often unstructured and inconsistent.
The growing Latino and Asian American populations have created diverse electorates. Candidates often try to appeal through racial/ethnic identity or by securing ethnic group endorsements.
This article introduces a categorization theory of spatial voting.
Spatial voting theory, traditionally applied to national bodies like Congress and the Supreme Court, has yet to fully explore state legislatures.