Voting and Political Participation in the Aftermath of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Hani Mansour (), Daniel I. Rees () and James Reeves ()
Additional contact information
Hani Mansour: University of Colorado Denver
Daniel I. Rees: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
James Reeves: University of Michigan

No 13442, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This is the first study to examine the effect of experiencing a widespread, deadly epidemic on voting behavior. Using data on elections to the U.S House of Representatives and leveraging cross-district variation in HIV/AIDS mortality during the period 1983-1987, we document the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on votes received by Democratic and Republican candidates. Beginning with the 1994 elections, there is a strong, positive association between HIV/AIDS mortality and the vote share received by Democratic candidates. Congressional districts that bore the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic also saw substantial increases in Democratic voter turnout and contributions made to Democratic candidates.

Keywords: Republican; Democratic; epidemic; HIV/AIDS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 58 pages
Date: 2020-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea, nep-pol and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published - published in: Journal of Human Resources, 2024, 59 (6), 1769-1794

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