Reciprocal association between voting and the epidemic spread of COVID-19: observational and dynamic modeling study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Whether voting is a risk factor for epidemic spread is unknown. Reciprocally, whether an epidemic can deter citizens from voting has not been often studied. We aimed to investigate such relationships for France during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) epidemic.

Methods

We performed an observational study and dynamic modelling using a sigmoidal mixed effects model. All hospitals with COVID-19 patients were included (18 March 2020-17 April 2020). Abstention rate of a concomitant national election was collected.

Results

Mean abstention rate in 2020 among departments was 52.5% ± 6.4% and had increased by a mean of 18.8% as compared with the 2014 election. There was a high degree of similarity of abstention between the two elections among the departments (P 

SUBMITTER: Zeitoun JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8500077 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature