Limits of Party Loyalty: How Election Cheating Affectively (De)Polarizes Voters

• In Event: Attitudes towards Populism, Democracy, and Autocracy

Abstract

Recent research suggests that increased partisan polarization and animosity have driven voters to tolerate - or even endorse - violations of democratic rules and norms, raising concerns about the stability of American democracy. This study examines whether partisans' tolerance of undemocratic behaviors extends to election cheating. Using three preregistered survey experiments, the study demonstrates that partisans do not disapprove disproportionately of cheating by opponents. The findings show that even relatively subtle forms of election cheating by an in-partisan candidate affectively depolarize voters, whereas similar cheating by the out-party polarizes. Exposure to in-partisan election cheating causes voters to reduce in-party affect and simultaneously increase out-party affect. These findings have important implications for our understanding of American democracy's viability and provide some counterbalance to the current narrative that partisan tribalism undermines voters' commitment to democracy.

Author

• Laurits Aarslew, Aarhus University