A National Voter Registration Campaign

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Civic Engagement

Background:

• Adult voting is linked to better child health outcomes.
• The United States experiences low voter turnout, particularly among marginalized populations.
• Voter registration is crucial for increasing participation, with clinical settings proving effective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe lessons learned from nationwide nonpartisan voter registration efforts in pediatric settings.
• To provide initial estimates of participation in a national pediatric voter registration campaign.
• To inform future voter registration initiatives in diverse clinical environments.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration with the nonprofit organization Vot-ER for nonpartisan voter registration.
• Advocacy for registration efforts in pediatric settings preceding the November 2020 US elections.
• Analysis of participation data obtained from Vot-ER.

Main Results:

• Widespread engagement in voter registration efforts was observed among pediatricians in 2020.
• Key lessons include the necessity of advanced planning due to early registration deadlines.
• Stakeholder buy-in and consideration of active versus passive registration strategies are vital.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric settings offer a viable venue for nonpartisan voter registration campaigns.
• Successful implementation requires strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and tailored approaches.
• These efforts can contribute to increased voter turnout and potentially improve child health outcomes.