Primary definition
The name given by political scientists to the observed phenomenon that voters give preference to the first candidate listed in a RACE, regardless of political party. The effect can be reduced through ROTATION. Also EFFECT. BALLOT POSITION
Also known asballot position effect · order effect · first-listing advantage · ballot order bias · listing effect
1 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 9, 2026
— Electronic Voting GlossaryView source
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EVG
Carnegie Mellon University
The name given by political scientists to the observed phenomenon that voters give preference to the first candidate listed in a RACE, regardless of political party. The effect can be reduced through ROTATION. Also EFFECT. BALLOT POSITION
Electronic Voting Glossary · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Primacy Effect. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/primacy-effect
Sources
1 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026
01
Electronic Voting Glossary
Electronic Voting Glossary
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