Question

What does this excerpt from the text indicate about voter behavior?

"...in 2012, several exit polls indicated that about 7 percent of those voters who regularly identify
themselves as Democrats actually marked their ballots for the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney.
And just about that same percentage of Republicans crossed over and voted for the Democratic
incurnbent, President Barack Obama, in that election."
a. Voters are frustrated with the two-party system and deliberately voting across
party lines as a form of protest.
b. The public was confused by the 2012 election because it involved new
and unusual issues.
c. Party identification is not a factor in predicting the outcome of elections
because people rarely vote according to their party.
d. People who identify with a particular party will vote differently if motivated
enough by a candidate or an issue.

Answer 1

The text excerpt suggests that voters with party identification can be swayed by various factors to vote across party lines, reflecting that party loyalty is not absolute and that individual motivation can override partisan alignments. The correct answer is option d.

Step-by-step explanation:

This excerpt from the text indicates that while party identification is a significant factor in predicting voting behavior, it is not absolute. The fact that a small percentage of voters from each party voted for the opposing party's nominee suggests that people who identify with a particular party will vote differently if motivated enough by a candidate or an issue. This can be due to various factors, including personal ideology, current political climate, or perceptions of the candidates. In 2012, around 7 percent of Democrats voted for the Republican nominee Mitt Romney, and a similar percentage of Republicans voted for the Democratic incumbent, President Barack Obama.

It shows that some voters who have a party identification can be swayed by retrospective voting, prospective voting, or other influences to cross party lines. The information provided reflects that the United States has a strong two-party system, yet there is a growing number of independents and dissatisfaction with the parties, which can lead to crossover voting. Additionally, the role of third parties, voter apathy, and the psychology of voting like the lesser of two evils are factors contributing to the behavior observed in exit polls.