Voting May Boost Longevity

By Amber Dixon 28/06/2026 2 min read 28 views

Voting may improve the health and longevity of seniors, according to new research. This comes amidst increasing pessimism about the value of voting, with some viewing it as a waste of time. Dr. Sara Konrath and Dr. Femida Handy’s study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, found that seniors who vote tend to live longer. This research was based on data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study and tracked Americans’ voting behavior since 1957.

The study compared the long-term health of older adults who voted in the 2008 presidential election to those who did not. It showed that voters had a significantly reduced risk of death after the election. This finding held up 5, 10, and 15 years later, indicating a considerable benefit for the participants.

The approximately 7,700 participants had an average age of 69 when the study began in 2008. In 2023, 15 years later, the participants had an average age of 84. Older adults who voted experienced a significantly reduced mortality risk. The research team was surprised by the strength of these findings.

The results were not explained by participants’ social status, wealth, education, civic engagement, or political affiliation. It didn’t matter if someone voted by mail or in person, or if their candidate won or lost. The mere act of voting itself seemed to reduce mortality risk. It is also not clear how voting affects the lifespan of younger people.

Voting may help people live longer. This research builds on previous findings that civic engagement, including voting, volunteering, or membership in civic organizations, leads to better physical and mental health. In fact, the American Medical Association describes voting as “a social determinant of health” and advocates for “safe and equitable access to voting.”

The link between longevity and civic engagement is not intuitive. Some speculate that being involved in civic activities provides meaning, purpose, and social connection. However, cynicism about civic engagement can be hazardous to mental health. High levels of cynicism raise the risk of depression, anxiety, fatigue, higher substance abuse, and even suicidality.

Researchers have also linked the “Big 5” trait of conscientiousness to longevity. Conscientiousness, a personality trait that includes being organized, responsible, and dependable, has been shown to be associated with longer life spans in a long-term study. Selflessness appears to be the antidote to pessimism. It seems to create hope, reinforcing good mental health.

Voting has numerous benefits. If you want to take advantage of these health and longevity benefits, a good place to start is VOTE411.org. It lets users see what’s on their ballot, check their registration, or register to vote. The site also offers an opportunity to learn more about voting. It may help users experience a mental and physical lift by voting.