Primary Elections and Partisan Polarization in the U.S. Congress
Quarterly Journal of Political Science (QJPS) | 11/08/2010
Abstract
Many observers and scholars argue that primary elections contribute to ideological polarization in U.S. politics. We test this claim using
congressional elections and roll call voting behavior. Many of our findings are null. We find little evidence that the introduction of primary
elections, the level of primary election turnout, or the threat of primary competition are associated with partisan polarization in
congressional roll call voting. We also find little evidence that extreme roll call voting records are positively associated with primary
election outcomes. A positive finding is that general election competition exerts pressure toward convergence as extreme roll call voting
is negatively correlated with general election outcomes.
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Suggested Citation
Shigeo Hirano, James M. Snyder Jr., Stephen Ansolabehere and John Mark Hansen (2010), "Primary Elections and Partisan Polarization in the U.S. Congress", Quarterly Journal of Political Science: Vol. 5: No. 2, pp 169-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/100.00008052