### How Voters Judge Relief
This study investigates how American citizens evaluate government responses to natural disasters. Using a novel survey experiment, we find voters prioritize fairness based on affectedness and need.
### Key Findings
- Relief allocations mirror public preference for distributing aid by affectedness
- Need-based distribution aligns strongly with voter assessments
- Political ties are less influential in shaping relief preferences
### Policy Implications
These findings challenge existing debates about:
- Retrospective voting patterns during crises
- The extent to which divide-the-dollar politics reflects public opinion
