Facial characteristics and electoral success: Evidence from the Czech Senate elections

This study examines the impact of physical characteristics, specifically facial symmetry and facial width-to-height ratio, on the electoral success of political candidates (N = 167) in the 2022 Czech Senate elections. These facial metrics are used as objective indicators of facial structure, offering a novel approach in the political context. Candidate data were analyzed using Poisson regression models, revealing significant associations between facial features and electoral outcomes. Higher facial symmetry was consistently linked to better electoral performance, while the effect of fWHR varied by gender, being positive for men and negative for women. These results highlight the broader implications of physical appearance in politics, suggesting that voter biases towards attractive candidates can influence election outcomes. This study contributes to the understanding of non-political factors in electoral success.