What characterizes "negative partisanship" in elections?

Negative partisanship is characterized by voters primarily motivated by their opposition to rival parties rather than strong allegiance to their own party. In this context, individuals often feel a sense of animosity or distrust towards the opposing party, which can drive their voting behavior. This phenomenon has been increasingly observed in the political landscape, where the identities and positions of partisan groups become intertwined with negative perceptions of the opposition.

When voters are engaged in negative partisanship, their decision-making process may not revolve around support for their party's specific policies or candidates, but rather the desire to prevent the rival party from gaining power. This contrasts with the idea of voters being energized by positive feelings toward their own party, which is not the central theme of negative partisanship.

Furthermore, voters who focus on supporting policies instead of candidates tend to reflect a more issue-based approach, while negative partisanship encompasses a broader tendency to allow disdain for the opposing party to dominate electoral choices. Lastly, undecided voters may not fit the negative partisanship model since they often take more time to form their opinions and are not actively engaged in opposition-based motivation.

In summary, the defining trait of negative partisanship lies in its emphasis on hostility towards opposing parties, illustrating how such sentiments can