This article examines the effect of adding party labels to Virginia ballots in 2000, when it became the final state to implement this reform. Using detailed precinct-level election returns, we analyze changes in citizen voting and partisan dynamics for down-ballot races.

Data & Methods

Drawing on comprehensive election data from Virginia's 2000 general election, our analysis compares voter turnout before and after the ballot label implementation.

Key Findings

Our results reveal a counterintuitive outcome: despite popular concerns about confusing voters, party labels led to only a modest decrease in roll-off rates for down-ballot races—around 15%, or roughly one percentage point. Notably, this reduction was more pronounced in precincts with higher concentrations of African American voters.

Why It Matters

This finding suggests that party labels may have strengthened partisan alignment at state levels, making voters' choices reflect presidential preferences more closely.