Vote Choice of Minority Groups: Emphasizing Their Issue Preferences

Abstract

In explaining vote choice of minority groups, scholars of American politics often characterize them as natural democrats. They argue that they have become natural Democrats because of their minority identity and the constraints they faced throughout the history of the United States. However, this thesis questions the characterization and highlights the issue preferences of minority groups; it analyzes whether their issue preferences have an impact on shaping their vote choice. By analyzing the Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES) 2016 survey, this thesis has explored that minority groups vote for candidates who pay greater emphasis on the issues they care about. Moreover, their political ideology and party identification are being greatly influenced by their issue preferences.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Ryan Burge (Supervisor)