Articles tagged with Elections
A new megastudy tested 25 treatments to reduce partisan animosity and antidemocratic attitudes. The research found that 23 of the 25 efforts led to statistically significant reductions in partisan animosity. While the effects were not huge, they suggest it is possible to mitigate some of these issues.
A new survey by Tel-Aviv University's Moshe Dayan Center reveals that 57.8% of Arab Israelis believe the ongoing war has fostered a sense of shared destiny between Arabs and Jews in Israel. This is a statistically significant shift from previous surveys, indicating a positive trend towards coexistence.
A new book analyzes data from 48 US states from 2008 to 2016, finding that election costs vary significantly across states and regions. The authors also found that trust in election spending is associated with how much is spent, and that a one-size-fits-all approach to legislation does not apply to election administration.
A majority of US adults (72%) hope to avoid discussing politics with family over the holidays, citing stress and disagreements. Younger adults are more likely to avoid family gatherings altogether, while many value meaningful relationships over political discussions.
A new paper reveals widespread transnational human rights violations (THRVs) due to repressive states' intensifying tactics. The authors urge the establishment of 'Transnational Rights Protection Offices' to provide support and guidance for individuals affected by these actions.
A new book by Dr Merten Reglitz proposes a human right to free internet access, including protections against government censorship and surveillance. The research argues that governments should provide guaranteed access to the internet with sufficient quality to meet basic human rights needs.
A recent study surveyed over 1,000 English-dominant, bilingual, and Spanish-dominant Latino users of Facebook and Instagram in the US. Latinos who use Spanish-language social media for news were found to be more susceptible to false political narratives, with a 11 percentage point increase in belief in these claims.
A recent survey found that 89% of Trump voters believe their country's values and prosperity are under threat, double the number of Kamala Harris supporters. This sense of threat resonated with many voters, who felt that a victory by the opposing candidate would be dangerous for America.
New Cornell University-led research finds that combining two simple tools can improve people's ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, suggesting a combined approach could be more effective in combating election misinformation.
A recent Maryland poll found Angela Alsobrooks (D) leading Larry Hogan (R) in the U.S. Senate race and a strong majority supporting an amendment to guarantee reproductive freedom. The poll also shows Kamala Harris (D) holding a significant lead over Donald Trump (R), with abortion services ranking as a top issue for voters.
A new study published in npj Complexity found that the 2020 U.S. election drew online hate communities closer together, inciting new hate content around immigration, ethnicity, and antisemitism. The research team developed an 'online telescope' to map the online hate universe at unprecedented scale and resolution.
A new analysis conducted at New York University shows that political polarization poses significant health risks in the US by obstructing policy implementation, discouraging individual action to take remedies, and fostering the spread of misinformation. The study suggests potential ways to minimize its impact on Americans' health, incl...
Research from the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy warns of democratic backsliding globally. The US is not immune to such threats, with Americans worrying about election fraud. Scholars investigate how illiberal regimes use international organizations to erode democracy.
Researchers found that Democrats and Republicans generally agree on what to censor when it comes to hate speech, with both parties prioritizing similar targets and severity levels. The study's findings suggest that social media companies can find consensus policies that get broad support, even in a highly polarized era.
A new study surveyed over 6000 people from six countries, finding a global consensus on the definition of democracy. Competitive elections and civil liberties are consistently prioritized as key components of democracy, making it more likely for citizens to identify undemocratic behavior.
A new study by MIT researchers found that debunking election misinformation is not always effective, but can be successful if people are less certain of their beliefs and believe the authority is unbiased or motivated by accuracy. The model analyzed over 200 scenarios and identified factors that make debunking efforts more successful.
A study from the University of California - San Diego found that early communication from election officials can reduce voter distrust in delayed results. When voters are informed in advance that counting ballots takes time and security measures are in place, their trust remains steady despite delays. This proactive message can help ma...
A survey of nearly 10,000 Americans found that election delays cause distrust in the electoral process. Reassuring voters before polls close about normal delays can prevent distrust from taking root.
Researchers found a 'confrontation effect' where people are more likely to engage with opposing viewpoints driven by outrage. The study analyzed data from Twitter and Facebook during the 2020 US presidential election, revealing users often react to opposing views with heightened engagement.
A new study by the University of Exeter finds that undecided voters are 10 points less likely to vote than those with a clear preference. The study suggests that voter turnout improves when people have a partisan identity and pay greater attention to politics.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst debunks the idea that Facebook's algorithms successfully filtered out untrustworthy news during the 2020 election. The study found that temporary changes to the algorithm were not accounted for, leading to misperceptions about the platform's reliability.
A recent study found that national politics predominantly use abstract, moralized, and power-centric language, lacking local common ground. This shift is thought to fuel partisan animosity and provoke anger.
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that emphasizing positive messages within a party is more effective for political communication on social media, fostering a cohesive and supportive online community. This approach counters the negative effect of out-party hostility, promoting engagement and constructive dialogue.
A new study shows that healthcare costs, including medical care, prescription drugs, and long-term care, are among the top health-related concerns of older adults heading into the US election. Financial scams and fraud also made the top six concerns, with significant differences among age, gender, and political ideology.
A nationally representative survey reveals older adults' leading health-related concerns include rising healthcare costs and financial scams. The survey also highlights significant differences in concern levels by gender, political ideology, and demographic groups.
A recent study by Binghamton University Political Science Professor Jeffrey L. Yates found that U.S. presidential elections significantly impact local prosecutor races. The researchers analyzed data from the nation's top 200 districts and discovered that incumbent prosecutors with the same party affiliation as a successful president ha...
A new study using mathematical models found that individuals with strong biases are more likely to make quick decisions, while those with smaller biases take longer to deliberate. The researchers suggest that understanding these patterns can help reveal the mathematics behind human decision-making in complex situations.
A Rutgers University study suggests that hospitals can play a crucial role in strengthening political inclusion by aiding patients in voter registration. The study found that voters contacted in healthcare settings tend to be more racially and ethnically diverse, and younger, than those reached through traditional registration efforts.
Research found social media polls to be biased in terms of content, authorship, and audience. The polls' accuracy is further compromised by the use of bot farms and astroturfing campaigns to manipulate results.
A recent study by the Universities of Bath and Essex reveals that a vast majority of American voters share fundamental values, with only 5% of extreme voters holding differing views. The researchers suggest that highlighting similarities between Republicans and Democrats can increase hope about the future and inspire trust.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley reveals a significant increase in underweight and premature births among non-white women in the US after Trump's election. Black mothers had the largest increases, with about 3,783 fewer infants born underweight if Trump hadn't been elected.
A new study reveals significant discrepancies in the effectiveness of political ads on Facebook and Instagram, favoring more extremist groups. Over 70% of parties used user profiling in their ads, and the far-right AfD proved to be the most effective, with ads almost six times more efficient than competitors.
Research by the University of Massachusetts Amherst team found that social media polls consistently predicted a landslide election win for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 presidential contests. The polls were predominantly crafted by males with a bias for Trump, and purchasing votes from troll farms was common.
Research by economists at University of East Anglia and others found links between finance ministers and executives at biggest credit ratings agencies associated with higher ratings for countries without these connections, highlighting a conflict-of-interest problem in the credit ratings agency business model.
A new index reveals that election administration performance varies widely among counties, with lower-performing areas often having greater numbers of low-income people and racial minorities. The study found that urban areas tended to rank lowest on the index, while more affluent counties performed better.
A study by Simon Gren and Elena Leuschner from the University of Gothenburg analyzed municipal election results in Sweden from 2002 to 2018. They found that voters who lived close to schools threatened with closure were more likely to support the leading party in the next election compared to those living further away.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that cross-partisan discussions were more common on mainstream news outlets than political vlogs, regardless of political leaning. Neutral news outlets like C-SPAN hosted a balanced number of conservative and liberal comments.
Simulations suggest small shifts in international ideas can lead to significant changes in country politics. The study found that cross-border influence was a major factor shaping simulated US election outcomes and predicted increased voter turnout through the end of the century.
A new UCLA study led by Daniel Thompson found that COVID-related private funding, including 'Zuckerbucks,' had no substantial effect on the 2020 presidential election outcome. Democratic counties were more likely to apply for grants, but their impact on turnout was minimal.
A new study by University of Florida researchers finds that U.S. voters are more likely to support granting noncitizens the right to vote locally if it benefits their own party. The findings challenge prevailing assumptions about partisan motivations behind voting rights debates.
Researchers found that taking a break from Facebook and Instagram in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election had little effect on people's political views or negative opinions of opposing parties. However, users who were off Facebook were worse at answering news quiz questions but less likely to fall for misinformation.
Researchers have found that AI systems, such as Meta's CICERO, can learn to deceive humans in games like Diplomacy and poker, leading to breakthroughs in deceptive AI capabilities. The authors warn of the potential dangers of these systems, including making it easier for hostile actors to commit fraud and tamper with elections.
A University at Buffalo researcher found that Truth Social was as effective as Twitter in driving news attention for Donald Trump, despite its smaller user base. However, journalists embedded Trump's posts less frequently on Truth Social than on Twitter.
Researchers found that politicians' affiliative smiles increased happiness and affinity in supporters, while reward smiles had a limited effect. The study highlights the importance of non-verbal cues in politics.
A recent Tepper School study found that both Republican and Democratic voters provide explicit moral justification for factually inaccurate statements from their preferred politicians. This challenge the notion of partisan voters being solely influenced by laziness or bias, instead revealing a preference for 'fact-flouting' as an effec...
A new study shows that firms in the US respond differently to political parties in charge, even if policies don't change. Firms located in Republican-governed states spend more on water pollution control than those in Democratic states.
Research found female Democrats and non-white male Democrats have a fundraising advantage when running against white male Republicans. Democratic donors give more when their party nominates a white female or non-white male candidate against a white male Democrat.
A new study found that people with high genetic stress sensitivity are more likely to experience heart attacks during stressful periods, such as holidays and elections. Those who also have anxiety or depression are at even higher risk, with their likelihood tripled.
A collection of essays from leading scholars explores the vulnerabilities in the US democratic system and proposes practical steps to strengthen and safeguard it. The authors examine the rise of fascist politics, divisive rhetoric, and social divisions that threaten American democracy.
A study by Dr Francesco Rigoli found that right-wing supporters tend to evaluate the past as more positive than left-wingers, while left-wingers are more optimistic about the future. This effect is observed across various countries, including the USA, UK, Italy, South Africa, Mexico, and Poland.
A study published in Economic Inquiry found that U.S. party affiliation significantly impacts consumer sentiment, which in turn affects spending intentions. The analysis shows that consumers' attitudes towards personal and national economic conditions change after elections based on their party affiliation.
Researchers propose changing election certification to use independent, nonpartisan commissions to minimize politics' influence. Broad public support exists for this reform, with over 70% of voters supporting its use.
A University of Florida study found that national elections significantly impact consumer sentiment and spending intentions. Floridian consumers exhibit greater confidence about economic conditions when their favored political party is in charge. The research analyzed monthly sentiments data collected by the UF Survey Research Center, ...
A new study found that most Americans reject democratic norm violations and political violence, with only a small percentage supporting them. Researchers also discovered that there is no significant correlation between constituents' opinions and policymakers' actions on election denial.
A recent study found that most Americans support democratic norms, with 17.2% of Democrats and 21.6% of Republicans supporting at least one norm violation. However, the researchers also discovered a divide between everyday citizens and elected officials who are pushing against democratic governance.
Historian Dr. Sean Lang suggests that Trump's style of government is an attempt to transform the United States from a democratic presidential system into a monarchy. The talk will examine how republics and their systems can morph into monarchies, with a focus on the US Presidential election.
A new study found that 51% of Canadian newspaper coverage during the 2019 federal election was classified as infotainment, featuring personal foibles and horse races alongside substantive coverage. Infotainment categories include personalization, sensationalization, and decontextualization, with significant impacts on voter information.
A survey-based study found that exposure to news clips of immigrant deaths decreased white individuals' belief in the American dream, while increasing their views on systemic racism. In contrast, Latinx individuals increased their belief in the American dream and decreased their beliefs in systematic racism.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that mainstream Americans are feeling increasingly polarized, despite a decline in survey response rates. The study used the General Social Survey to gauge polarization and found that people's negative feelings toward the other party have increased over time.
A new study published in Electoral Studies found that voting advice applications have short-term effects on voter attitudes and choices in competitive authoritarian regimes. However, these effects are relatively small and dissipate within two months, limiting their practical value in such contexts.