Does benchmarking occur during elections? This article explores voter behavior regarding economic performance comparisons.

Using survey data from US voters collected between 2017-2020, the study finds that voters frequently compare current economic conditions with past expectations. This method appears more common than previously documented in political science literature.

Key Findings:

* Voters benchmark economic performance significantly during election cycles

* The benchmarking practice varies across different demographic groups and issue contexts

Why It Matters:

Understanding this voter behavior gap provides crucial insights into how citizens evaluate political leaders' economic stewardship.