Updated: February 2023

Author: Planning Unit, Vermont Department of Health

In the last decade, the percentage of Vermonters registered to vote who participated in local, state, and national elections has increased. More people voted in 2016 and 2020, years with presidential elections, than years with midterm elections and without presidential elections. This follows the national trend for voter turnout. You can read more about voter turnout from the Pew Research Center.

Research shows a connection between health status and civic engagement. People who are registered to vote most commonly have health insurance, have a high level of education, and have higher socioeconomic status. They are also more likely to feel like their vote matters. Those who are uninsured, disabled, or experiencing sickness or disease are less likely to register to vote or participate in elections.

Voter turnout greatly impacts the result of social and health policy. When those experiencing health inequities are less likely to vote, the resulting policies and programs perpetuate those inequities to health care access and unequal distribution of illness and disease.1 Studies also reveal that civic engagement and voting participation can have positive health outcomes or reduce the rate of risk behaviors. 2

1. Manchanda, R., & Silver-Isenstadt, J. (2010). A prescription for a healthier democracy: The role of health care in civic participation. National Civic Review,99(2), 48-53. doi:10.1002/ncr.20020

2. Mino, M., Deren, S., Kang, S., & Guarino, H. (2011). Associations between Political/Civic Participation and HIV Drug Injection Risk. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse,37(6), 520-524. doi:10.3109/00952990.2011.600384

The Department of Health is tracking this data but is not currently working on initiatives related to it. Organizations in Vermont that address voter turnout include:

• Vermont Secretary of State, Election Division
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Political Parties
• Political Advocacy Organizations

In order to increase both voter registration and voter turnout, a multipronged approach involving various stakeholders is critical. Increasing accessibility and ease of the voter registration process is the first step in engaging more individuals in local, state, and national elections.  Online voter registration in many states, including Vermont, has allowed for increased convenience in the registration process. Additionally, allowing individuals to register any day leading up to, including the same day, of the election encourages increased participation.

Studies demonstrate that voters are more likely to show up to the polls when they develop an action plan and are held accountable. “Get out the vote” calls that emphasize anticipated high voter turnout and help voters develop a plan for where and when to vote, prove to be effective at encouraging voters to show up to the polls.

National surveys indicate that low voter turnout can take place when people feel dissatisfaction with candidates or like their individual vote would not influence the election outcome, have scheduling conflicts, experience an illness or disability, or when they are traveling or are away from home.

Many of our programs recognize the importance of civic engagement and community connectedness to health and wellbeing. We will continue to track this measure as a proxy for those issues. The Department of Health has not developed a strategy directly aimed at increasing voter engagement however we could offer supportive rationale for the change listed above.  

The data for this indicator comes from the Vermont Secretary of State Elections Division. Reports on voter turnout and other measures can be found on the Elections Division website.

This number is calculated as the total votes cast divided by the number of registered voters.

Additional Resources:

Blakely, T. A., Kennedy, B. P., & Kawachi, I. (2001). Socioeconomic inequality in voting participation and self-rated health. American Journal of Public Health,91(1), 99-104. doi:10.2105/ajph.91.1.99

Pacheco, J., & Fletcher, J. (2014). Incorporating Health into Studies of Political Behavior. Political Research Quarterly,68(1), 104-116. doi:10.1177/1065912914563548