Enabling Democracy: Disability and Voter Turnout

Abstract

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How voter turnout varies between different chronic conditions? A population-based register study

“…For instance, advanced dementia may constitute a severe obstacle to processing political information 21. Voters with neurodegenerative conditions often face functional limitations that can, for instance, hinder access to polling stations 22 23. This explanation may also apply to people with other severe conditions.…”

Depression and Political Participation*

“…I argue that political participation requires physical exertion in addition to the traditionally studied resources of money, time, and civic skills. The physical demands of participation has been extensively demonstrated by research that shows that physical disabilities substantially lower an individual’s probability of voting (Schur et al 2002). Depression likewise reduces the somatic capacity of an individual and therefore reduces the resources an individual has for political participation.…”

“…I demonstrate in this paper that the individuals with depression are less likely to participate in politics than are individuals without depression. The identification of a depression-participation gap adds to a growing body of research showing that individuals with poor health and physical and mental disabilities have an unequal say in the political process (Schur et al 2002, Schur & Adya 2013, Pacheco & Fletcher 2014). It also raises questions about other political consequences of depression.…”

Demokratisk deltakelse blant mennesker i en dobbel minoritetssituasjon som same og funksjonshemmet.

“…Videre vet vi at mennesker med funksjonsnedsettelser deltar i politikken i mindre grad enn befolkningen for øvrig; den demokratiske deltakelsen i form av å stemme ved valg er internasjonalt lavere blant personer med funksjonsnedsettelser enn blant befolkningen for øvrig (Schur og Adya 2012, Schur et al 2002, Clarke et al 2006; i Norge er personer med funksjonsnedsettelser underrepresentert i det representative demokratiet (Guldvik, Askheim, og Johansen 2010, Guldvik, Askheim, og Johansen 2013; «mentale barrierer» knyttet til forventinger om hvilke interesser man målbaerer er et av hindrene for politisk deltakelse (Guldvik og Lesjø 2014); fysiske barrierer for politisk deltakelse knyttes til mangelfull fysisk tilrettelegging, manglende tidsramme for møter og tilgjengelighet til valglokaler (Guldvik, Johansen, og Askheim 2008, Guldvik, Askheim, og Johansen 2010, Guldvik, Askheim, og Johansen 2013; mange 7 personer med funksjonsnedsettelser engasjerer seg i ulike interesseorganisasjoner for funksjonshemmede (St.meld. nr.…”