Define "cross-pressured voters."

• A. Voters who participate in primary elections
• B. Voters who feel conflicted because their beliefs or identities pull them toward different political parties
• C. Voters who switch parties frequently
• D. Voters who only vote based on personality rather than policies

Answer: (B)

Cross-pressured voters are individuals who experience conflict in their political beliefs or identities that lead them to feel torn between different political parties. This tension often arises when a voter's various social identities—such as race, religion, economic status, or geographic location—align more closely with the positions of different parties, creating a sense of ambivalence or division about which party to support in an election. This phenomenon is significant in understanding voter behavior, as it highlights the nuanced and often complicated motivations behind electoral choices.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of cross-pressured voters. For example, voters participating in primary elections do so within a specific party framework, rather than experiencing cross-pressure from multiple affiliations. Voters who frequently switch parties may have different motivations, such as a desire for change or dissatisfaction with their current party, rather than feeling conflicted. Finally, individuals who vote based solely on personality rather than policies are operating from a different framework altogether, focusing on character traits rather than the conflicting influences of multiple political beliefs.