Higher minimum wages make people more likely to vote in elections.
A recent study examined changes in minimum wages and voter turnout across the US between 1980 and 2016.
Researchers found that people who got a raise because the minimum wage went up became slightly more likely to vote in the next election.
But the question remains - why does voting increase when minimum-wage workers earn a bit more money? Could better conditions like stable housing and regular transportation mean that you have slightly more time to think about who to vote for? If you are struggling with basic needs, it's tough to participate in elections. Or could it be that receiving a raise makes minimum-wage voters aware of what the government can do for them, and thus be more open to the value of voting?
Future research could answer these questions.
Original article:
Study: Higher minimum wages raise voter turnout
Original study: