¿IMPORTAN LAS CAMPAÑAS (EN LAS NUEVAS DEMOCRACIAS)? INTERÉS DE LA CAMPAÑA, ELECCIÓN DEL VOTO Y SATISFACCIÓN DE LA ENCUESTA

Abstract

Based on data from presidential campaigns and original data from gubernatorial campaigns in Mexico, this paper finds that the proportion of respondents who provide consistent answers to the vote intention questions during the same survey interview increases as the campaign unfolds and interest in the campaign grows. These voters are less likely to connect their vote choice with their political predispositions and have a disproportionate likelihood to change their vote choice throughout the campaign. This gives the impression that campaigns are more consequential than they are, when, in fact, vote shifts are a function of voters’ increased motivation to engage in a survey interview.