Effects of United States Presidential Elections on Suicide and Other Cases of Death

The proportion of suicides and the proportion of deaths by other causes that occurred during September and October for [U.S.] Presidential election years were found to be significantly smaller than the proportions of September-October deaths in adjacent nonelection years. These results suggest that increased societal integration fostered by impending Presidential elections decreased mortality (especially suicides) during the two months preceding the elections. November-December results suggest that mortality reduction during September and October of elections years is more long-lasting for suicide than for other causes of death. (EXCERPT)