overcaution

As for why blacks were more likely to overvote than whites, I’d say there are a lot of explanations - such as overcaution (as suggested in the quoted interview), educational level (which correlates with practice in filling in forms), white collar vs blue collar work (ditto), mentoring (did you have a parent or other experienced adult available to walk you through the process before the first time you voted?)

Race and Uncounted Overvotes in Florida 2000 2006

Could it be he has learned overcaution or just resentment?

On Jane Austen « Tales from the Reading Room 2010

Pietersen, who has fallen three times trying to quicken the rate, each time to the inexperienced leg-break bowler Jeevan Mendis, could easily be depicted as a victim of overcaution elsewhere, but he remains scrupulously loyal as he tries to adjust to England's three-captain system.

Kevin Pietersen on the defensive over England's misfiring batsmen 2011

So far as we could judge, the attitude of hospital administrators was a self-defeating mixture of overcaution in small matters and lack of vigour in important ones.

Henry’s Demons Patrick Cockburn 2011

So far as we could judge, the attitude of hospital administrators was a self-defeating mixture of overcaution in small matters and lack of vigour in important ones.

Henry’s Demons Patrick Cockburn 2011

Pietersen, who has fallen three times trying to quicken the rate, each time to the inexperienced leg-break bowler Jeevan Mendis, could easily be depicted as a victim of overcaution elsewhere, but he remains scrupulously loyal as he tries to adjust to England's three-captain system.

Kevin Pietersen on the defensive over England's misfiring batsmen 2011

"But this kind of condemnation of public health officials who made the most prudent decisions based on available knowledge could well backfire in future emergencies: I fear that public health officials will draw the lesson that they should wait for greater scientific certainty before responding in the future -- and we could pay for that overcaution with many lives lost."

Reports accuse WHO of exaggerating H1N1 threat, possible ties to drug makers 2010

"But this kind of condemnation of public health officials who made the most prudent decisions based on available knowledge could well backfire in future emergencies: I fear that public health officials will draw the lesson that they should wait for greater scientific certainty before responding in the future -- and we could pay for that overcaution with many lives lost."

Reports accuse WHO of exaggerating H1N1 threat, possible ties to drug makers 2010

A few companies, perhaps, but others will see a lot of opportunity to profit from the overcaution of those few.

The Volokh Conspiracy » Health bill and gun ownership 2009

The commentariat can't decide whether Chief Justice John Roberts's majority opinion this week upholding a core provision of the Voting Rights Act is rooted in statesmanship or overcaution.

Voting Rights and the High Court 2009