© Getty Images

To swipe or not to swipe? -

If you've been single recently, there's a good chance you've noticed how leaning right or left can impact your dating life.

© Shutterstock

Other right and left -

Lately, however, the decision now seems to go beyond just swiping right or left. Singles are increasingly aware that a potential date can depend on whether someone leans right or left politically.

© Getty Images

Screening process -

Some people are even including explicit statements in their dating app bios, saying they're not open to dating someone with a certain political stance. User reports show it's not uncommon to see phrases like "If you support X candidate, swipe left!"—essentially saying, "This isn’t going to work."

© Shutterstock

Touchy subject -

This trend is backed by Terri Orbuch, a relationship expert at DatingAdvice and a sociology professor at Oakland University. She notes that political views are becoming more important for daters, but many singles aren't sure how to bring up the topic.

© Shutterstock

Postponing the inevitable -

However, avoiding the topic can lead to arguments and awkwardness later on, according to Orbuch. "They don’t bring it up on the first or second date, but then on the third date, suddenly, they’re hit with these political differences," she says.

© Shutterstock

Does it really matter? -

Politics go beyond just voting choices or economic views; they touch on "our identities and how we see ourselves," Orbuch emphasizes. These issues have become even more politically charged, as they now include topics like social justice, diversity, inclusion, equity, gender, race, and sexual orientation.

© Getty Images

Beyond voting -

The relationship expert emphasizes that it's not just about who you're voting for or whether you're a Democrat or Republican, for instance.

© Getty Images

Valuable connection -

It's about what matters to you–social justice, equality, and the kind of world you want to live in, for example. These values are a big part of who you are, and influence who you connect with.

© Getty Images

Worldviews clash -

This challenge applies to all types of relationships, not just romantic ones. Experts say it’s also relevant in relationships with family and friends, which can be another tough situation to navigate.

© Shutterstock

Key factor -

In romantic relationships, shared values can play a major role in determining compatibility. Orbuch, who directs a long-term study funded by the National Institutes of Health tracking over 300 couples for more than 35 years, has witnessed this firsthand.

© Shutterstock

Making it last -

Being aligned with your partner, particularly when it comes to your "top two key life values," is crucial for a long-lasting relationship, Orbuch explains.

© Getty Images

Values to consider -

Along with social justice, diversity, and inclusion, other important life values include the significance of children and family, your views on money, and even your approach to health and fitness.

© Shutterstock

The opposite is also true -

If issues like social justice aren't among your top two key life values, then sharing those views with a potential partner isn't crucial for compatibility or a long-lasting relationship, she explains. Instead, you’ll want to find common ground on the values that matter most to you.

© Getty Images

Tips on how to bring it up -

So, how do you talk about politics on a date if it’s important to you? Orbuch advises focusing on the core values you’re looking for in a partner instead. She recommends a three-step approach to do this.

© Shutterstock

1. Observe behaviors -

Pay attention to how they behave and interact with others, says Orbuch. How do they talk to the barista, the server, or the person seating you? Are they respectful? Are they making eye contact and speaking politely?

© Shutterstock

1. Observe behaviors -

If not, consider whether this aligns with how you want to be treated. This behavior could suggest they see themselves as superior to others—and might treat you the same way in the future.

© Shutterstock

2. Ask life questions - Instead of asking directly about politics, ask questions that reveal what they value in life. For example, ask about their ideal weekend or what they enjoy doing outside of work.

© Shutterstock

2. Ask life questions -

As Orbuch notes, it's a good strategy to "...get answers to how they value ideas about social justice, diversity, and inclusion."

© Shutterstock

3. Share your own experiences - Finally, you can share your own values through personal stories. For example, to show you value family, you might say, "I love my niece, so I volunteered at her school yesterday," Orbuch suggests.

© Shutterstock

3. Share your own experiences -

By observing their verbal and nonverbal reactions, you can gain valuable insights into whether your core life values align.

© Shutterstock

When it's obvious -

This three-step approach is useful if you're uncertain about someone's political views, according to Orbuch. But what if the person is open and clear about their political beliefs?

© Getty Images

Filtering out -

Is it okay to exclude people based on their political beliefs? Orbuch thinks it might be. She recognizes the benefit of using filter options, like those available on many dating apps, to set your political boundaries.

© Getty Images

Deal-breakers -

In fact, the expert encourages using these filters if you are firm on your deal-breakers. "If you're on a dating app and people are acknowledging who they're going to vote for, their political affiliation or their key life value about an issue of social justice, then you can filter them out."

© Getty Images

Perfect match -

Does that mean people with similar political views will always end up together? A recent study from the University of Michigan, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, aimed to answer that question.

© Getty Images

Perfect match -

Researchers analyzed data from over 4,000 individuals to explore how often partners have differing political beliefs, what factors contribute to these differences, and how they impact relationships.

© Getty Images

Same path -

This suggests that most couples in the study shared similar political views, either within the same party or in their overall political ideology, according to Amie Gordon, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Michigan and the study's lead author.

© Getty Images

Finding a match -

The study found factors like education level, income, personality, and relationship length didn't strongly predict whether couples would have different political views.

© Getty Images

Relationship impact -

Couples with differing political views reported slightly lower relationship quality. This impact was evident in both everyday interactions and overall relationship satisfaction, according to Gordon.

© Getty Images

Is it that important? -

However, researchers also found that factors like overall compatibility and shared values have a stronger impact on relationship quality than political differences. But if Orbuch considers "shared values" to be an indicator of political alignment, then having similar political views might be crucial for long-term relationship success.

Sources: (CBS News) (University of Michigan News)

See also: Can brain activity predict voting behavior?

© Getty Images