On the Decline of Competition in Congressional Elections*

John A. Ferejohn

American Political Science Review, 1977, vol. 71, issue 1, 166-176

Abstract: Several authors have observed a decline in the number of competitive congressional districts during the past two decades. Various explanations have been proposed for this change. Among these are theories attributing major causal significance to changing methods of drawing district boundaries, and increasing control of campaign resources by incumbents. These theories are examined critically and arguments are advanced for their rejection. The principal cause of the decline of competition for congressional seats appears to rest on a change in individual voting behavior.

Date: 1977
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