Voters often acquire partisan identification in childhood as a result of parental influence. Issues and policy preferences also influence voters' choices. For example, concerns about crime may encourage voters to elect the candidate with the strongest platform against it. In addition, candidate characteristics influence voters. Perceptions of honesty, morality, and the ability to lead matter to most voters.
Many voters also prefer candidates who share their own racial, religious, or ethnic background.
The outcomes of elections often have important consequences for governmental programs and policies. Two of the most important realignments in American history took place in 1860 and 1932. In 1860 the newly formed Republican party elected Abraham Lincoln and won control of the government on a platform calling for the abolition of slavery in the territories. This precipitated the secession of the Southern states and the Civil War, followed by a period of consolidation of national power over the states. In 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt led the Democrats to victory during the Great Depression.