Physicians Less Likely to Vote Than Others, 3-State Study Finds

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS

Physicians in California, New York, and Texas are less likely than the general public to vote in elections, according to findings in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Researchers examined data from a national provider registry and voter files from the three states. The proportion of physicians who voted in elections from 2006 through 2018 was significantly lower than the proportion of the general population who voted (average across elections, 37% vs. 51%). This was largely due to lower voter registration among physicians (50% vs. 66%).

Among physicians who were registered to vote, however, voter turnout was higher in all elections relative to the general population (for example, in 2018, 75% vs. 62%).

Findings were consistent regardless of political party.

The researchers conclude, "Future efforts to improve physician voter participation should explore the influence of both increasing voter registration and election turnout."