What is split ticket voting?

Split ticket voting refers to the practice of casting votes for candidates from different political parties on the same ballot, particularly for different offices. This means that a voter might choose one candidate from one party for a specific office, such as governor, and then select a candidate from another party for a different office, like a senator or a representative.

This practice reflects a voter's willingness to evaluate candidates based on individual merit and issues rather than strictly along party lines. By voting in this way, voters can express their nuanced preferences and support whichever candidates they believe will best serve their interests in various governmental roles. It is an expression of an independent political preference, allowing for a more varied representation than what a straight party-line vote might yield.

Other options do not capture the essence of split ticket voting. Voting for candidates from the same party for all offices suggests a cohesive party alignment, while voting for only one party's candidates across multiple offices still maintains a singular party focus, contradicting the concept of selecting candidates based on their individual qualifications rather than just their party affiliation. Lastly, the idea that voting does not affect the election outcome is not tied to the definition of split ticket voting, as it does not inherently relate to the voting behavior of individuals.