Voting Linked to Lower Mortality Risk in 15-Year Study

Researchers also checked voting in the 2004 and 2012 elections. The pattern held for 2012 but was weaker for 2004, suggesting other social or historical factors may play a role. The Wisconsin Longitudinal Study sample is mostly White, non-Hispanic older adults from Wisconsin, so results may not generalize to more diverse populations.

A separate Finnish study reported similar findings: non-voters had a higher risk of death than voters, with a gap larger than the difference between people with lower and higher education levels.

The study did not test why voting is associated with lower mortality, but researchers pointed to possible mechanisms. Voting may reflect a sense of purpose and future orientation, which research ties to healthier aging. It may also strengthen feelings of agency and control. Kevin Lanning, a professor of psychology and data science at Florida Atlantic University, told the American Psychological Association that "voting can be thought of as an expression of the self-concept." Social connectedness from civic participation may also play a role; chronic social isolation carries health risks comparable to smoking roughly 15 cigarettes a day, previous research has found.

Voting may overlap with broader health-promoting behaviors. People who follow through on civic responsibilities may also be more likely to attend doctor visits and follow public health guidance. A 2023 international study linked stronger social norms around protective behaviors with higher compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The findings add to evidence that civic engagement, including volunteering, is associated with lower rates of depression, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in older adults.