As the deadline to cast ballots for Oregon’s primary election comes closer, new research highlighted the link between voting and longevity in older adults. In a new study, older adult voters had close to a 40% lower mortality risk after 10 years when compared to nonvoters, and those in poorer health benefited more.
Bandana Shrestha, state director of AARP Oregon, said voting, along with activities like volunteering, are crucial for sustained well-being.
“Research shows that it’s actually meaning and purpose and engagement that really is contributing to people feeling like they have a way to give back to their community,” Shrestha explained. “It has real physiological benefits as well.”
May 12 is the deadline to get ballots in the mail for Oregon’s primary election. After today, voters should bring their ballots to a voting box, which will be open until May 19 at 8 p.m.
Shrestha encouraged everyone to vote, adding older adults are largely the ones deciding elections.
“Here in Oregon, in the last general election, we had 55% of the people who went and voted were people 50+ and 32% were people 65+,” Shrestha reported.
This election cycle, voters in Oregon will choose Democratic and Republican nominees for governor, state legislative seats and Congress. They will also decide whether increases to the gas tax and vehicle fees can take effect.
