Minority candidates face two distinct electoral disadvantages in Switzerland, according to new findings. First, voters express more outgroup hostility toward minority-origin candidates with non-Swiss names by allocating them fewer negative preference votes than majority candidates. Second, these candidates also experience ingroup favoritism bias—majority voters grant more positive preference votes to their own group members.

Swiss election data reveals nuanced patterns in voter discrimination that extend beyond party identification and are shaped by specific ethnic dynamics. The study demonstrates how different forms of prejudice manifest differently on the ballot: minority candidates receive fewer dislikes but also fewer likes compared to majority candidates.

These findings highlight a complex reality for descriptive representation, showing multiple pathways toward electoral disadvantage.