RETROSPECTIVE VOTING IN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS - 1982 AND 1986

Aggregate-level studies of gubernatorial elections suggest that the st ate's economy is not a significant determinant of gubernatorial vote c hoice. These findings run counter to expectations of retrospective vot ing behavior Governors today serve longer terms, have greater institut ional powers, and are more publicly visible-all of which suggest that governors should be held accountable by the voters. The expectation is that individual-level studies, which measure voters' perceptions of t he state's economy, will show a strong relationship between the state' s economy and gubernational vote choice. Analysis of the 1982 and 1986 CBS/NY Times Exit Polls demonstrates that voters' evaluations of the state's economy have a significant impact on vote choice.