Incentives dominate selection – Chamber-changing legislators are driven by electoral rules and voter preferences

The role of electoral incentives vs. selection is ideally analyzed in a setting where individual legislators are selected to decide on policies under different rules and voter preferences can be precisely measured. This the first paper look at such situation. institutional Switzerland allows us observe behavior who change from proportionally-elected chamber majority-elected parliament with their electorate being same both chambers. Voter revealed referenda. We identify behavioral changes chamber-changers comparison other due respective along three dimensions, all measured level legislators: representation for policies, party loyalty, interest group affiliations. evidence suggests that explain response towards an extent there remains no relevant selection. After having changed chamber, cater more intensely majority (including median voter), become less loyal adapt lobby affiliations district-oriented interests.