This chapter questions the common belief that political parties truly help citizens make informed choices. Party labels are often described as “rational shortcuts” that simplify complex political decisions, yet they can also mislead voters and undermine effective retrospective voting. Voters are not helpless without party cues; those who are not strong liberals or conservatives already must learn more about candidates than their party label reveals. In addition, voters in primaries need to research candidates because all primary candidates belong to the same party. Voting without the party label is considered a reasonable expectation in American politics.