During elections, what does voting for top contests while skipping others illustrate?

Voting for top contests while skipping others illustrates the roll-off effect. This phenomenon occurs when voters participate in a few prominent races, such as those for federal or state offices, but neglect to vote in lower-profile contests, including local races and ballot initiatives. The roll-off effect is often influenced by various factors, including the perceived importance of the races and voters' awareness or knowledge about the candidates or issues involved.

Voters may feel more engaged with high-profile elections, such as presidential or gubernatorial races, and subsequently overlook or skip elections for positions that they believe have less impact or are less publicized. This pattern reflects a disparity in voter attention and motivation, rather than random selection or strategic voting, which would involve a more deliberate approach to choosing which contests to engage in. Voter fatigue, while related to the idea of not participating fully, does not specifically explain the selective voting behavior exemplified by the roll-off effect.