How America Decides

Campaign '08
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The Rational Voter

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You actively seek as much information as possible about all candidates, consider the positives and negatives and evaluate them against your personal interests.

• Because you learn so much about both sides, this strategy is highly likely to lead to a vote across party lines.

• This strategy is also the most likely to result in a incorrect choice — picking a candidate who does not reflect your views. Researchers think that many people can't process all they learn and simply become confused.

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Next: The Passive Voter >>

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You Have to Choose

Campaigns are hungry to win swing votes, but pinning them down isn't easy. Here's a look at who are swing voters and how they'll vote.

GRAPHIC

How You Have Voted

Here's a look at how the American public has voted in past presidential elections

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