Rational Choice and Issue Voting

• What is rational choice voting?

  • Based on 'issue voting'; some voters are not committed to one party and will switch based on key issues.
  • Rational choice voters view some issues as more salient than others.
  • In the 2015 General Election, 30% of voters made their decision based on Asylum and Immigration policies.
  • Altruistic voters will vote for a Party that is good for society as a whole; for instance, Richard Branson supported New Labour in 1997 even though he is a millionaire.
  • Instrumental voters will vote selfishly; voters on benefits will usually vote for Labour.