The State of Election Studies: Mid-Life Crisis or New Youth?

In a number of countries Michigan style national election studies have now been conducted for around 40 years or more. Given their relative inattention to context and difficulties in disentangling cause and effect it might be considered time for radical change to or even abandonment of such studies. However the longevity of the studies coupled with a growing programme of comparative research means that it is only now beginning to be possible to address some key questions about the impact of context on voting behaviour. What is required in order to take advantage of this newly emerging opportunity is a change to the way we analyze national election studies; and it is important that this opportunity not be jeopardized by ill-considered changes in their design.