Presidential debates and voter decision making

Research suggests that televised debates, which create a rare but valuable environment of cross-cutting exposure, result in partisan reinforcement and polarization. Extending this line of inquiry, the present study aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of debate effects by re-conceptualizing their nature and boundary. Analyses of national survey data collected in two election cycles demonstrate that debate viewing strengthens a voter’s decision-making routine whereby partisan identity informs political opinions. This pattern of partisan reinforcement by debate viewing was observed for both debated and non-debated issues, suggesting that debate effects transcend the context of any given debate. Discussion focuses on electoral and democratic implications of presidential debates.