The effect that the length of electoral periods has on the behavior of elected officials is examined. The hypothesis is that the longer the period between elections the less responsible or the more independent representatives will behave relative to the desires of their polity. The hypothesis is tested by examining the behavior of U.S. Senators. It is found that their independence follows a cyclical behavior which conforms to the electoral period. As a result it is by no means clear that decreasing the frequency of elections reduces the cost of elections. The effect of this independence cost on the optimal frequency of elections is discussed.
Associate Professors of Economics, Arizona State University. We are grateful to William McEachern and Robert Tollison for helpful comments on earlier drafts and to Robert Hardison for research assistance. An Arizona State University Faculty Research Grant-in-aid provided financial support.