Tactical voting

Definition

Tactical voting occurs when voters choose a candidate not because they are their preferred choice, but to prevent an undesirable outcome, often due to the perceived likelihood of other candidates winning. This strategy is particularly relevant in voting systems where voters fear that a vote for a less popular candidate could inadvertently help elect a less favored candidate. As a result, voters may strategically align their choices to influence the final outcome of an election.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tactical voting is most common in plurality systems, where only one candidate wins, making voters more likely to choose a candidate they view as viable rather than their true preference.
2. The phenomenon can lead to strategic alliances among parties or candidates, where supporters might converge on a single candidate to maximize their chances of winning.
3. In many cases, tactical voting can result in a less representative outcome compared to what would occur if voters voted sincerely for their preferred candidates.
4. Voters might use polls and surveys to gauge the chances of candidates winning, influencing their decision-making process and leading them to vote tactically.
5. Tactical voting has been criticized for undermining the democratic principle of expressing true preferences, as it often leads to voters feeling compelled to make compromises.

Review Questions

• How does tactical voting influence the dynamics of elections in plurality systems?
  • Tactical voting significantly impacts elections in plurality systems by steering voters away from their true preferences. Voters often feel compelled to support candidates who have a better chance of winning rather than those they genuinely favor. This dynamic can lead to a concentration of votes around fewer candidates, ultimately influencing the overall election outcome and potentially sidelining more representative options.
• Evaluate the implications of tactical voting on party strategies and voter behavior during elections.
  • The implications of tactical voting on party strategies are profound, as parties may adjust their platforms or form coalitions to appeal to voters looking to maximize their influence on election outcomes. Voter behavior also shifts, with individuals frequently assessing the viability of candidates before casting their votes. This strategic approach can lead parties to focus on marginal constituencies and sometimes even alter their policies in response to anticipated voter tactics.
• Assess how tactical voting can distort electoral outcomes and affect public perception of democratic processes.
  • Tactical voting can distort electoral outcomes by skewing results away from the most favored candidates towards those deemed more electable. This distortion raises concerns about the legitimacy of electoral processes since the final outcomes may not reflect the genuine preferences of the electorate. Consequently, public perception of democracy can be negatively affected, as citizens may feel that their votes do not contribute to truly representative governance, leading to disengagement from political processes and diminished trust in democratic institutions.

Related terms

Duverger's Law:

A principle that suggests single-member electoral districts tend to favor a two-party system, which can lead to tactical voting as voters rally behind one of the leading candidates.

Vote splitting: This occurs when similar candidates in an election draw votes away from one another, which can lead to an outcome that is not representative of the majority's preferences.

Condorcet Winner: A candidate who would win a head-to-head matchup against each of the other candidates in an election, highlighting how tactical voting can sometimes distort the true preferences of voters.