Elections and Democracy
Overview
Featured Expert(s)
Laurel Harbridge-Yong
IPR political scientist Laurel Harbridge-Yong explores how elections, institutions, and policy are connected in the United States. Her research investigates a range of questions surrounding partisan conflict and the difficulty of reaching bipartisan agreement and legislative compromises in American politics.
Eli Finkel
IPR social psychologist Eli Fiinkel studies political psychology, with a focus on political sectarianism and antidemocratic tendencies in the U.S. He examines the intersection of interpersonal relationships and political speech and action.
Tabitha Bonilla
IPR social policy expert Tabitha Bonilla studies political behavior, identity, and communication and broadly examines how the public understands politics and policy. Her research focuses on the effects of campaign rhetoric on voter perceptions of representation and voter mobilization.
Research Roundup
Legislators Prioritize Primary Voters Over General Election Voters
A study by IPR political scientist Laurel Harbridge-Yong finds that legislators have incentives to prioritize primary voters over general election voters. These incentives, a product of the American two-stage election process, can shape which constituents’ policy preferences are represented in Congress—and may also contribute to polarization.
Voters Hold Candidates to Their Promises During Campaigns
In her book The Importance of Campaign Promises (Cambridge University Press, 2022), IPR social policy expert Tabitha Bonilla shows that voters notice how committed candidates are to policy issues based on their language and hold candidates accountable for promises. Not only do voters understand the difference between a general policy stance and a specific promise to take action, but also that voters judge candidates more harshly if they do not follow through on their promises.