The article explores why politicians use roll call votes and how it affects their behavior in democratic legislatures. Politicians are more likely to request roll call votes when they think their views match those of important people outside the legislature. They also tend to ask for roll call votes when they expect to be rewarded for their votes, and avoid them when they fear punishment. The study shows that politicians seeking reelection change their voting behavior in roll call votes because they believe outside actors will either reward or punish them based on their public votes.