What is a straight-ticket vote?

A straight-ticket vote refers to the practice whereby a voter chooses candidates exclusively from the same political party for all the offices on the ballot. This voting method reflects a strong partisan alignment, suggesting that the voter supports the political party's overall platform and candidates across various levels of government, whether local, state, or federal.

This type of voting can increase party cohesion and support, as it signifies a unified choice rather than splitting votes among different parties. It can be advantageous for the party as it contributes to the overall success of its candidates and can lead to a greater likelihood of passing legislation aligned with that party's platform.

The other response options refer to different voting behaviors, such as choosing candidates from various parties or selecting independent candidates, which do not align with the definition of a straight-ticket vote.