What is Straight Ticket?

Definition and meaning of straight ticket: Straight ticket voting is a voting method used in American politics that allows voters to cast a single vote for the entire slate of candidates from a single political party. This type of voting is seen by many reformers as a form of polarization that reinforces the existing two-party system. Additionally, straight ticket voting makes it harder for independent and third-party candidates to gain traction and break into the political mainstream. In most states, straight ticket voting is available either as a physical lever that can be pulled on a voting machine or as an option on a computerized ballot. Some states have even implemented “no-excuse” straight ticket voting, which allows citizens to vote for an entire party's slate of candidates without ever actually going through and voting on individual races. Straight ticket voting has come under scrutiny in recent years, as many reformers argue that it is detrimental to the electoral process. By making it easier to vote for an entire party's slate of candidates, it reduces the importance of candidates and issues and increases the influence of party loyalty. Additionally, it encourages the two-party system, making it harder for independent and third-party candidates to gain traction. The alternative to straight ticket voting is known as split ticket voting.