Primacy effects

Marek M. Kaminski and Steven Linder

Chapter 86 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Public Choice, 2025, pp 623-628 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The primacy effect in elections refers to the tendency for voters to choose candidates listed first on a ballot more frequently than those listed lower. This phenomenon occurs across various electoral systems and can significantly impact election outcomes. Three main types of primacy effects exist: candidate primacy, party primacy, and list primacy. The strength of these effects depends on factors such as electoral system design, election characteristics, and voter attributes. Causes include limited voter knowledge, time constraints, and cognitive biases. Mitigation strategies involve randomizing ballot order and improving voter education. While measures can reduce its impact, the primacy effect remains a persistent influence in elections due to its roots in human behavior.

Keywords: Primacy effect; Ballot order; Electoral systems; Voter behavior; Randomization; Election outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781802207743
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