Which term best describes voting based on a candidate's past performance?

Which term best describes voting based on a candidate's past performance?

• A. Rational Choice Voting
• B. Prospective Voting
• C. Issue Voting
• D. Retrospective Voting

Answer: (D)

Voting based on a candidate's past performance is retrospective voting. It centers on evaluating how the incumbent or governing party has behaved and the outcomes of their prior decisions, then rewarding or punishing them in the ballot based on that track record. This approach treats the election as a referendum on what has already happened, rather than on promises for the future. Rational choice voting, by contrast, weighs costs and benefits to maximize personal advantage and can involve both past and future considerations. Prospective voting looks ahead to future policies and what a candidate pledges to do if elected. Issue voting focuses on specific policy positions, regardless of performance in office. Retrospective voting uniquely ties the vote to past governance and accountability.

Voting based on a candidate's past performance is retrospective voting. It centers on evaluating how the incumbent or governing party has behaved and the outcomes of their prior decisions, then rewarding or punishing them in the ballot based on that track record. This approach treats the election as a referendum on what has already happened, rather than on promises for the future.

Rational choice voting, by contrast, weighs costs and benefits to maximize personal advantage and can involve both past and future considerations. Prospective voting looks ahead to future policies and what a candidate pledges to do if elected. Issue voting focuses on specific policy positions, regardless of performance in office. Retrospective voting uniquely ties the vote to past governance and accountability.