In the past five years, the concept of civic health and healthcare-based voter registration has gained unprecedented momentum, emerging as a promising and novel avenue for nonpartisan civic engagement. This movement has sparked a critical question: Is it appropriate for healthcare workers and institutions to engage in voter registration efforts? The resounding answer is yes. The rationale behind this affirmative response is straightforward: politics directly influences the care we can provide our patients. Healthcare professionals witness firsthand the vital connections between patients’ physical health and their civic health. While we may not be able to address all the ways our democracy has become frayed, we can take a fundamental step towards strengthening it by making it easier for our patients to register to vote.
In the United States, a staggering 72 million Americans are eligible to vote but remain unregistered. This figure is derived from the total citizen population of 233.546 million, with only 161.422 million (69.1%) reported as registered, leaving approximately 72.124 million citizens unregistered. Even during the 2020 elections, which saw record voter turnout, only 67% of eligible voters participated. This means one-third of eligible Americans did not vote, with non-registration being a significant barrier. Despite the non-registration obstacle, approximately 83% of Americans visit a healthcare professional annually. Imagine the potential impact if the healthcare sector actively encouraged voter registration. By integrating voter engagement into healthcare services, where professionals are highly trusted, we have the potential to significantly surpass previous voter turnout records.
A disproportionate share of unregistered voters comes from Black, Brown, and other minority communities across America—the very same communities that are most marginalized by our healthcare system. Studies show a clear link between civic participation and health outcomes. Communities with decreased participation in the democratic process report lower physical and mental health outcomes. This correlation is believed to stem from the absence of social capital that comes from having a greater role in elections. To break this cycle, the healthcare sector has emerged as a critical venue for civic engagement. With the push to more meaningfully address health equity and the upstream social determinants of health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and federal policymakers have begun to support healthcare-based voter registration efforts.
In August of 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a proclamation recognizing August as Civic Health Month, devoted to helping patients and healthcare workers vote in healthcare settings across Massachusetts. One of President Joe Biden’s first acts in office was signing an executive order calling on all agencies to promote voter registration. As primary healthcare-facing agencies, both the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services have released new materials and guidance to help health facilities engage their patients in voter registration. Amid declining trust in government, decreasing rates of civic participation, and rampant election denialism, experts argue that the health of our democracy is beginning to fail. The surge in momentum around civic health is emerging as one inspiring antidote to these troubling times.
Healthcare workers can help create a healthier democracy. We cannot do it alone. But without us, it cannot be done. By integrating voter registration into healthcare settings, we can address both the physical and civic health of our communities, ensuring that the most marginalized voices are heard and represented. This dual approach not only improves health outcomes but also strengthens the democratic process, fostering a more equitable and just society.