Would we vote differently if we couldn't see the party label?

Picture a ballot with each candidate's positions on five issues, and no names or parties. How many of us would end up where we expected?

Party is a useful shortcut. Nobody has time to research every race on a long ballot. But shortcuts also mean we sometimes vote for a team rather than a plan.

Some towns already run nonpartisan local races. The results don't always match what the national map would predict.