<P> The existing literature does not provide an explicit classification of voting behavior types . However, research following the Cypriot referendum of 2004, identified four distinct voting behaviors depending on the election type . Citizens use different decision criteria if they are called to exercise their right to vote in presidential, legislative, local elections or in a referendum . In national elections it is usually the norm that people vote based on their political beliefs . Local and regional elections differ, as people tend to elect those who seem more capable to contribute to their area . A referendum follows another logic as people are specifically asked to vote for or against a clearly defined policy . </P> <P> An older study in postwar Japan identified that urban citizens were more likely to be supportive of socialist parties, while rural citizens were favorable of conservative parties . Regardless of the political preference, this is an interesting differentiation that can be attributed to affective influence . </P> <P> A growing literature on the significance of affect in politics finds that affective states play a role in public voting behavior that can be both beneficial and biasing . Affect here refers to the experience of emotion or feeling, which is often described in contrast to cognition . This work largely follows from findings in psychology regarding the ways in which affective states are involved in human judgment and decision - making . </P> <P> Research in political science has traditionally ignored non-rational considerations in its theories of mass political behavior, but the incorporation of social psychology has become increasingly common . In exploring the benefits of affect on voting, researchers have argued that affective states such as anxiety and enthusiasm encourage the evaluation of new political information and thus benefit political behavior by leading to more considered choices . Others, however, have discovered ways in which affect such as emotion and mood can significantly bias the voting choices of the electorate . For example, evidence has shown that a variety of events that are irrelevant to the evaluation of candidates but can stir emotions, such as the outcome of football matches and weather, can significantly affect voting decisions . </P>

What is the most important predictor of voting behavior in the united states