<t>jQuery's documentation states:<br/>
<br/>
[jQuery.val] checks, or selects, all the radio buttons, checkboxes, and select options that match the set of values.<br/>
<br/>
This behavior is in jQuery versions 1.2 and above.<br/>
<br/>
You most likely want this:<br/>
<br/>
$("._statusDDL").val('2');<br/>
<br/>
```<br/>
<br/>
Add `.change()` to see the option in the dropdown list frontend:<br/>
<br/>
```<br/>
$("._statusDDL").val('2').change();<br/>
<br/>
```</t>
