Key Takeaways:
- Civic engagement is year-round: As healthcare professionals, we have an ongoing responsibility to advocate for healthcare issues and health equity, both during and beyond election cycles.
- Healthcare professionals have a unique role: Voter registration and turnout can directly impact public health. especially for populations underrepresented in the democratic process. By participating, you can help build a more equitable society and healthcare system.
- Healthcare and higher education institutions are permitted to facilitate nonpartisan voter activities: We work and learn in ideal environments for promoting nonpartisan civic engagement, including neutral voter registration efforts.
- Be informed and active: Participate in upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 5 elections! Explore voter resources through local and national organizations, including the AAMC and Vot-ER, for ongoing civic engagement. We’ll give you those links.
- Encourage others to vote: Get a free voter registration badge from Vot-ER to assist community members in accessing nonpartisan voter registration information.
Dear Medical Students,
Many of you reach out during the academic year asking what you can do or should do to advocate for your beliefs and views related to healthcare, health equity, and healthcare policy.
Civic engagement, including exercising your right to vote, is a powerful responsibility we can all role model for everyone around us.
The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Civic Engagement
The nonprofit group Vot-ER is partnering with the AAMC to integrate voter education and registration into healthcare settings. Vot-ER says healthcare professionals hold a unique and trusted role in their communities. This positions them as key advocates for nonpartisan civic engagement.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study entitled Increasing Voter Participation Through Health Care-Based Voter Registration that found integrating voter registration into healthcare settings can effectively reach and mobilize populations that are typically underrepresented in the democratic process, promoting a healthier, more equitable society.
Healthcare and Higher Education Institution Nonpartisan Voter Activities
Healthcare and higher education institutions are permitted under federal law (i.e., National Voter Registration Act of 1993) to facilitate nonpartisan voter registration activities. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education sent a Dear Colleague letter in April 2022 to all university presidents emphasizing the requirement of higher education institutions administering federal student aid, including medical collegesschools, to provide voter registration materials to their communities.
How to Stay Informed and Engaged
We encourage everyone to stay engaged and educate themselves on the issues and candidates. Faculty, staff, and students alike are encouraged to help empower others to become civically engaged as well. Below are links to each state’s Secretary of State website where you can register to vote and find additional election information:
Resources and Opportunities for Ongoing Engagement
The AAMC has also developed a fact sheet in collaboration with Vot-ER, for nonpartisan voter registration at health care institutions. We invite all of you to visit the AAMC and Vot-ER websites and take advantage of the free voter registration badges offered by Vot-ER to assist patients and community members in registering to vote.
The 2024 United States elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Erik D. Malmberg, Ph.D., J.D. (EH-rihk MALM-berg)
Assistant Dean for Equity and Medical Student Engagement
Associate Teaching Professor, Family Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine