Rainy weather can influence US election results, with at least 1 in 100 voters switching from Democrat to Republican. Researchers suggest people may feel safer voting conservative in bad weather, but the reason is unclear. Voter turnout is typically higher for Republicans during inclement weather.
It is said that all politics is local, but who would have thought that a local weather forecast could help predict election results? These are the results of some recent research by American and Australian researchers. In their study, scientists from Dartmouth College and the Australian National University found that at least one in 100 voters who go to the polls intending to vote for a Democrat will instead choose a Republican if it rains. While they haven’t identified a definitive explanation for this behavior, the study authors suggested that one possible reason for the apparent change of heart is that rainy weather tends to make people want to feel safer, and vote for a Conservative. it is generally seen as less risky than voting for a liberal candidate. The researchers emphasized that their study is based on the well-established knowledge that rainy weather tends to help Republican candidates, as GOP voters are less likely to avoid polls during inclement weather. And while it might seem far-fetched that anyone would base a political vote on climate, the authors pointed out that all types of human behavior can be influenced by climate, including economic decisions, murder rates and college enrollment.
A look at voting in America:
Elections are typically held in the fall because America was originally an agriculture-centric nation that had to prioritize the harvest before worrying about politics.
It wasn’t until 1845 that Congress decided that all presidential elections would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
About 60 percent of registered voters go to the polls in presidential elections; about 40% run for midterm elections.
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