The accessibility and utility of candidate character in electoral decision making

In U.S. elections, the competence and integrity of candidates for office are among the factors that influence both the choices made by voters and the subsequent outcomes of electoral contests. Although past research has demonstrated that candidate character is highly consequential, much less is known regarding how, and under what conditions, information about character influences the individual-level candidate evaluation. We explore these questions using data from a series of computer-based laboratory experiments and a national survey. Results reveal that attitudes regarding competence and integrity are highly accessible, and that information about competence and integrity strongly influences assessments of candidates. However, no evidence was found that candidate character functions as a default basis of candidate evaluation to be used when information regarding political considerations such as partisanshp and ideology are unavailable.