The right to vote and voting patterns of hospitalized psychiatric patients

Hospitalized psychiatric patients have traditionally been denied their right to vote. This right was restored in 1972 when the Queens Board of Elections established a registration and polling site on the Creedmore Hospital grounds. A patient education program stimulated interest in current affairs and facilitated informed voting. Gross analysis of patient-voting patterns showed no significant difference from the community at large. However, deeper analysis suggests that the patient vote was independent of the borough of residence, tending to be more Democratic-Liberal and less Republican-Conservative. Furthermore, the patient vote was seen to reflect thoughfulness and awareness of relevant self-interest.