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A New Look at the Republican Advantage in Nonpartisan Elections

American University, Washington, D.C.

Matthew J. Streb

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

Gerald C. Wright

Indiana University, Bloomington

Conventional wisdom has long held that Republicans are advantaged when partisan labels are removed from the ballot. However, in this article, the authors argue that the advantage gained from nonpartisan elections favors the minority party because the low-cost partisan cue is hidden from voters who otherwise would be inclined to support majority party candidates. The authors test this hypothesis using aggregate-level data from state legislative races in nonpartisan Nebraska and partisan Kansas, mayoral races in nonpartisan Phoenix and partisan Tucson, and California statewide races including the nonpartisan contest for superintendent of public instruction. Findings indicate that nonpartisan elections have partisan consequences but that the effect is in favor of the minority party rather than the Republican Party.

Key Words: political parties • representation nonpartisan elections • Republican Party • Democratic Party • voting

Political Research Quarterly, Vol. 60, No. 2, 240-249 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1065912907301812


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