ABSTRACT
Elections in most liberal democracies are surrounded by intense and prolonged discussion of spatial patterns of support for candidates, parties, and issues. Ideas about electoral patterns in various functional and perceptual regions provide the basis for much speculation about the chances for a candidate’s or a party’s success. Indeed, maps showing regional support for political figures and issues are part of the electoral ritual regularly celebrated by the media and the participants. Even the studies of academic geographers are occasionally trotted out in connection with the formulation of campaign strategies, the making of projections, and the analysis of outcomes.
