Health, Wealth, and Voting Trajectories in Later Life
Autor: | Barry C. Burden, Won Tak Joo, Michal Engelman, Jason M. Fletcher |
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Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
Longitudinal study
Social Psychology media_common.quotation_subject Health Status Politics Cognition Turnout Mental health Clinical Psychology Early voting Cross-Sectional Studies Mental Health Voting Life course approach Humans Demographic economics Longitudinal Studies Geriatrics and Gerontology Psychology Gerontology Socioeconomic status media_common Aged |
Zdroj: | The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences. 77(4) |
ISSN: | 1758-5368 |
Popis: | Objectives Much of what we know about voting behaviors is based on cross-sectional comparisons of voters at different ages. This study draws on a unique linkage between the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study and state voter files to characterize voting trajectories in later life and explore their determinants. Methods Using sequence analysis, we identify 5 voting typologies based on turnout and voting methods over 8 biennial elections. Using multinomial logistic and Poisson regressions, we examine the role of physical, cognitive, and mental health and wealth in shaping enfranchisement and civic participation at older ages. Results Health and wealth are both positively associated with voter turnout, but the negative impact of poor health on voting declines with increasing wealth. Voting at the polls and early voting are more common among healthier older adults, whereas absentee voting is more common among older voters who are more affluent, less healthy, or both. Among those less wealthy, absentee methods mitigate the impact of poor health for previously active voters, but do not compensate for a lower turnout rate. In addition to physical and cognitive limitations, emotional difficulties and depression reduce turnout, particularly among the least wealthy. Discussion In this sample of older, largely White, primarily Midwestern committed voters, civic participation at older ages is shaped by individual experiences with wealth and health across the life course as well as political structures that facilitate or restrict the ability of individuals to consistently participate in elections. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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