It's Okay to Change Your Mind

You Do Not Need to Vote the Same Way Twice

Bibliographic Data

ID3758882
AuthorsKenneth J Levine (0000-0001-9924-6091, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume66
Issue3
Pages376-389
Publication date2022-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00027642211009277
OpenAlexW3157396501
LanguageEN
References cited35

Voters make their decisions based on several factors; however, cognitive dissonance and ego-involvement are two forces that work to keep voters' choices consistent over time. Despite these internal pressures, there are times when a particular candidate has disappointed a voter to such an extent that the voter considers voting for a different candidate in the next election. 170 young voters were asked about their feelings of regret and their need for permission to change their minds and vote differently in a future election. Findings suggest that women and Democrats are more likely to need permission to change their votes than men and Republicans. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between regret and desire to change one's vote with the need for permission to do so on election day. Lastly, the importance of having that permission will affect a voter's feelings of obligation to cast a ballot for the same party. Open ended responses explore the idea of obligation versus making a change in more detail. Findings suggest that correct messaging about the ability one has to change one's mind and also being granted permission to vote differently may be an effective campaign messaging strategy

Ballot · Cognitive dissonance · Feeling · Internet privacy · Obligation · Permission · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Regret · Voting · Voting behavior · Computer Science · Law · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Psychology of Social Influence · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology