Candidate endorsements don't always have intended effect

A Western Washington University political scientist has looked at the ways voters sort through initiatives and believes endorsements are important cues. In fact, says Todd Donovan, voters do what legislators do when they are faced with a large number of complex decisions – they seek shortcuts like who is for it, who is against it, who is putting money on which side and what is going on with the economy.

So it makes sense that the same voters might do the same when choosing between candidates. They look for cues like party and endorsements.