2006 Conference Program - Midwest Political Science Association

PaperPaperPaperDisc.Voter Errors in Electronic Voting: Voting Systems, BallotType, and Voter TraitsPaul S. Herrnson, University of MarylandRichard G. Niemi, University of RochesterMichael J. Hanmer, Georgetown UniversityBenjamin B. Bederson, University of MarylandFrederick Conrad, University of Michigan, Ann ArborMichael Traugott, University of Michigan, Ann ArborOverview: We report on a field experiment studying whethervoters cast votes as intended. Significant variations in accuracyoccurred when the task was complex, as when a vote changewas required. Ballot format and voter demographics alsoimpacted accuracy.From Punchcards to Touchscreens: Some Evidence fromPasco County, Florida, on the Effects of Changing VotingTechnologyMichael C. Herron, Dartmouth CollegeJeffrey Lewis, University of California, Los AngelesOverview: TBAVoters' Abilities to Cast Write-In Votes Using ElectronicVoting SystemsRichard G. Niemi, University of RochesterPaul S. Herrnson, University of MarylandBenjamin B. Bederson, University of MarylandFrederick Conrad, University of Michigan, Ann ArborMichael Traugott, University of Michigan, Ann ArborOverview: Using field and lab-based experiments, we evaluatevoters' ability to cast a write-in on six electronic voting systems.The success rate was about 90%. With paper ballots, votersoften fail to fill in the oval; their votes would not be counted.Thad E. Hall, University of UtahGeralyn M. Miller, Indiana University-Purdue University, FortWayne20-5 CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING DYNAMICSRoomChairPaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Sat 3:45 pmJ. Tobin Grant, Southern Illinois University, CarbondaleCampaign Advertising Impact on Recall and Recognition ofCandidatesDavid M. Greenwald, University of California, DavisOverview: This paper looks at the effect of campaignadvertising on the ability of voters to recall candidate names inthe 2000 U.S. Senate races. The effect of campaign advertisingwill vary depending on the political sophistication of theindividual voter.Campaigns in a New Media Age: How Candidates Use theWorld Wide WebJames N. Druckman, Northwestern UniversityMartin Kifer, University of MinnesotaMichael Parkin, University of MinnesotaOverview: We test theories of campaigns and informationprocessing with data from over 450 candidate websites and twoelection cycles (2002, 2004).Advertising and Strategy in the 2004 Presidential CampaignMichael G. Hagen, Temple UniversityOverview: This paper explores the tailoring and targeting ofadvertising by the presidential campaigns, and by the othergroups that sponsored advertising bearing on the campaign, in2004. The analysis addresses the deployment of both rhetoricand funds.Negative Campaigning and the Political Environment: AnAnalysis of Presidential General Election Rhetoric, 1900-2004Robert P. Amyot, Southern Illinois University, EdwardsvilleOverview: An analysis of the role of various factors in acampaign's decision to attack an opponent. These factorsinclude incumbency, poll position, and timing, as well asenvironmental effects: changes in technology, public trust, andelite attitudes.Daniel P. Stevens, Hartwick College21-6 PARTIES AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMSRoomChairPaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Sat 3:45 pmNeal G. Jesse, Bowling Green State UniversityThe Number of Parties: Why Age MattersEkaterina R. Rashkova, Washington University, St. LouisOverview: This paper examines the relationship between theage of democracy and the number of parties. The findingsprovide evidence for the hypothesis, and show that there is alearning effect that we have ignored so far.Electoral Systems in Context: The Latin American CaseMatthias Caton, University of HeidelbergOverview: This paper analyzes the influence of differentparliamentary electoral system types on party systems in LatinAmerica in the light of specific contexts, such as cleavages andhistorical experiences with democracy or the breakdown ofdemocracy.The Impact of Electoral Systems on Change of Parties andParty SystemsJavier Vazquez, University of PittsburghScott J. Morgenstern, University of PittsburghOverview: Instead of examining the misleading notion of partydevelopment, we define and analyze different aspects of partychange. We find the weight of the electoral system relative toother factors is sometimes significant but not always substantial.Electoral Systems and Gender QuotasRichard E. Matland, University of HoustonOverview: This paper examines electoral systems and genderquotas.Alberto Simpser, Princeton University22-101 ROUNDTABLE: INTERNATIONAL PUBLICOPINION AND THE STUDY OF FOREIGNPOLICY (Co-sponsored with Foreign Policy,see 16-101)RoomChairPanelistTBA, Sat 3:45 pmPeter A. Furia, Wake Forest UniversityRichard Sobel, Harvard UniversityAndy Katz, Denison UniversityRussell Lucas, University of OklahomaChris Whitney, Chicago Council on Foreign RelationsOverview: This roundtable gathers five experts with a diverseset of ideas about how, if at all, cross-national opinion studiesinform our understanding of comparative foreign policybehavior.22-207 INFORMAL ROUNDTABLE: THEPOLITICAL GENDER GAP IN AFRICA:SIMILAR ATTITUDES, DIFFERENTBEHAVIORSRoom TBA, Sat 3:45 pmPresenter The Political Gender Gap in Africa: Similar Attitudes,Different BehaviorsCarolyn Logan, Michigan State UniversityMichael Bratton, Michigan State UniversityOverview: The analysis uses public opinion data gathered by theAfrobarometer in 15 African countries in 2002-03 to analyzegender gaps in regime preferences, policy preferences,performance evaluations, and especially, political behavior.22-208 INFORMAL ROUNDTABLE: THEINFLUENCE OF ELITES ON PUBLICOPINIONRoom TBA, Sat 3:45 pmPresenter Political Elites, Social Groups, and Mass Opinion of PublicPoliciesStacey L. Pelika, University of Wisconsin, MadisonOverview: The paper uses a series of mixed-method case studiesto investigate how political elites attempt to influence whichsocial-group cues are present in a policy debate in order tomaximize public support for their desired outcomes.239