How Voters Decide: The Three Factors Influencing American Elections

CrashCourse

In this episode of Crash Course Government and Politics, host Craig Benzine explores the complex psychology and political science behind how American voters make decisions at the ballot box. While we might like to think every vote is a carefully weighed policy decision, the video reveals that voting behavior is largely driven by three distinct factors: party loyalty, candidate characteristics, and specific political issues. Craig explains that for most voters, the single strongest predictor of their vote is simply the political party they identify with, often influenced by their family upbringing.