Questions: How do today's election ballots reflect the trend toward candidate-centered campaigns?

The answer is A: A candidate's party affiliation is not prominently displayed.

Explanation for each option:

A. A candidate's party affiliation is not prominently displayed.

• This option is correct. In candidate-centered campaigns, the focus is on the individual candidate rather than the political party. As a result, ballots may de-emphasize party affiliation to highlight the candidate's personal qualities, policies, and achievements. This trend reflects a shift towards voters making decisions based on the candidate's individual merits rather than their party alignment.

B. Each political party is represented symbolically.

• This option is incorrect. While political parties may use symbols to represent themselves, this does not directly reflect the trend toward candidate-centered campaigns. The use of symbols is more about party branding and recognition rather than focusing on individual candidates.

C. Candidates are identified by parties instead of by names.

• This option is incorrect. In candidate-centered campaigns, the emphasis is on the individual candidate, so it would be counterproductive to identify candidates solely by their party affiliation. Instead, the candidate's name is prominently displayed to ensure voters recognize the individual running for office.

In summary, the trend toward candidate-centered campaigns is best reflected by the de-emphasis of party affiliation on election ballots, allowing voters to focus more on the individual candidates.