What is the practice of voting for candidates from different political parties on the same ballot called?

• A. Mixed voting
• B. Split-ticket voting
• C. Independent voting
• D. Multiple party voting

Answer: (B)

The practice of voting for candidates from different political parties on the same ballot is known as split-ticket voting. This concept reflects a voter's willingness to select candidates based on individual qualifications, policies, or issues rather than strictly adhering to a single party affiliation.

In a split-ticket voting scenario, a voter might choose a Democrat for one office, say, the Senate, while opting for a Republican for another, such as the House of Representatives. This approach can indicate that the voter appreciates the distinct platforms of different parties and evaluates candidates on a case-by-case basis.

Other terms like "mixed voting" and "independent voting" don't precisely capture this behavior. "Mixed voting" is not a commonly used term in the context of ballots and elections, while "independent voting" typically refers to voters who do not affiliate with a political party at all. "Multiple party voting" also does not convey the specific action of selecting candidates from different parties on a single ballot. Thus, split-ticket voting accurately describes this voter behavior.