Voting At Home Is Associated With Lower Cortisol Than Voting At The Polls

Authors

Jayme Neiman, University of Northern IowaFollow
Karl Giuseffi, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Kevin Smith, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Jeffrey French, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Israel Waismel-Manor, University of HaifaFollow
John Hibbing, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

PLoS ONE

Volume

10

Issue

9

Abstract

Previous research finds that voting is a socially stressful activity associated with increases in cortisol levels. Here we extend this research by investigating whether different voting modalities have differential effects on the stress response to voting. Results from a field experiment conducted during the 2012 presidential elections strongly suggest that traditional "at the polls" voting is more stressful, as measured by increases in cortisol levels, than voting at home by mail-in ballot or engaging in comparable non-political social activities. These findings imply that increased low-stress voting options such as mail-in ballots may increase political participation among individuals who are sensitive to social stressors.

Department

Department of Political Science

Original Publication Date

9-3-2015

DOI of published version

10.1371/journal.pone.0135289

Recommended Citation

Neiman, Jayme; Giuseffi, Karl; Smith, Kevin; French, Jeffrey; Waismel-Manor, Israel; and Hibbing, John, "Voting At Home Is Associated With Lower Cortisol Than Voting At The Polls" (2015). Faculty Publications. 1211.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/1211