Is Descriptive Representation a Proxy for Substantive Representation?

Representation is at the heart of how contemporary democracies organize their governing 'by the people'. In this study, we measure the appeal of descriptive representation -- representation based on social group markers -- and its relation to substantive representation. Applying conjoint survey experiments, we test whether voters perceive and use descriptive representation as a proxy for substantive representation. We find that voters discriminate between candidates based on social markers but that they do not show a preference for in-group representatives. This finding is despite the awareness of respondents that representatives with similar backgrounds are likely to share their political views. It is puzzling that voters prefer candidates who share their political views and that they identify the attitudes of others based on social markers alone, yet they do not utilize this information in their choices between candidates.