What does this research mean for the field?

Public support for postponing elections during a health crisis is negatively associated with democratic values and positively associated with perceived health threats, with the two factors interacting to shape overall attitudes. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine citizen attitudes toward postponing national elections during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify how democratic values and health threat perceptions shape support for election delays.

September 14, 2026Journal of Elections Public Opinion and Parties

Election delay: public support for postponing elections during public health crises

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Authors

HCHyoungrohk ChuBinghamton University HNHaruka NagaoOklahoma State University RLRigao LiuUniversity of Kansas

Discussion

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Implication

Survey analysis reveals opposing effects of democratic commitment and health threat on election delay support in 15 African countries, highlighting complex public trade-offs during crises.

Key Points

To examine citizen attitudes toward postponing national elections during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify how democratic values and health threat perceptions shape support for election delays.
Analyzed nationally representative survey data gathered across 15 African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluated individual-level associations and interactive effects between commitment to democratic principles, perceived pandemic threat, and attitudes toward election postponement.
Citizens with stronger support for democratic principles were significantly more likely to oppose postponing elections.
Individuals reporting greater perceived threat from the pandemic exhibited significantly higher support for election delays.
The influence of democratic support on election postponement attitudes was contingent upon the perceived level of health threat posed by the crisis.

Cite This Study

Chu et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7dfc60926e14a848b3da5 https://doi.org/10.1080/17457289.2026.2720140

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Implication

Survey analysis reveals opposing effects of democratic commitment and health threat on election delay support in 15 African countries, highlighting complex public trade-offs during crises.

Election delay: public support for postponing elections during public health crises

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Election delay: public support for postponing elections during public health crises

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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Also Consider