Not Tough Enough? Gender Stereotypes and Vote Choice in Switzerland

Abstract

While many studies examine the effect of gender stereotypes on electoral chances of women candidates in the U.S. little research investigates this relationship outside two-party systems and experimental designs. This article examines the relationship between gender stereotypes and vote choice for women candidates in the Swiss federal election of 2019. Our regression analyses show that voters holding male issue stereotypes are less likely to elect women candidates, while voters holding female issue stereotypes are more likely to elect women candidates. Interaction effects suggest differing effects depending on a respondent’s age, political knowledge, and the candidate’s party position.