Slate conducted a recent review of psychological research that looked at how a candidate’s facial features shape their Election Day outcomes, they found that:

• For decades experts thought that the relationship was a positive correlation between handsomeness and votes.
• More recent studies, however, have found that competence is the most important feature in drawing votes.
• Features that suggest competence include: A square jaw, high cheekbones, and large eyes. Based on this Mitt Romney has the advantage over Newt Gingrich.
• However voters might also determine their voting decisions based on events at the time. Researchers have found that voters have different facial feature preferences during war and peace time.
• Voters are also more likely to vote for the candidate that looks more similar to them.

To read more about the history of research on the issue as well as see the application of these findings to recent Presidential elections, click here.

Source: Slate