Candidate affirmation statements and "CV" lies: The impact on voter support

• In Event: Political Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Political Attitudes (Table 17)

Abstract

This research arose from a simple question considered by the authors when contemplating the U.S. election process: “Why is it a more rigorous process to apply for university admissions than it is to apply for a position in congress?” From this initial question many others followed: Where are candidate CVs? Where are candidate integrity statements and how would voters perceive a failure to sign one? How will voters respond if candidates lie to them about who they are? This research utilized vignettes incorporated in an initial exploratory study with a convenience sample of 52 eligible U.S. voters sourced by the authors. Subjects were found to not "respond kindly" to candidates lying on their "CV" and failing to sign an affirmation statement. Statistically significant and practically impactful withdrawals of support were observed for candidate misbehaviors.

Authors

• Patrick McHugh, Brown University

• Samuel Peretz, Brown University

• Thomas Barton, Brown University