Residents Vote! A Framework and Toolkit to Improve Resident Voting Rates

Background Elections substantially impact health care, yet physicians vote less frequently compared to the general population. Engaging residents and fellows in elections, during training when professional identities are formed, may improve physician voting rates. Objective To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a centralized, institution-wide approach to improve graduate medical education (GME) trainee awareness, registration, and participation in the electoral process. Methods Our framework was implemented in academic year 2023-2024, leading up to the 2024 Michigan presidential primary election. It included: voter registration instruction during resident orientation; emails with election deadlines and nonpartisan voting information; distribution of wearable buttons displaying QR codes linking to information on voter registration, early voting, and mail-in ballots; and informational sessions with legislative experts. We created an open-access GME toolkit for other institutions. We measured trainee voting rates using a single text message question on election day. Results Of 1041 trainees, 115 (11%) attended 4 informational sessions; informal feedback was positive. One hundred twenty-three of 826 trainees (15%) responded to the text message question: 35 of 81 (43%) eligible voters reported having voted or planning to do so that day (statewide rate=23%). No additional funding was required. The institutional GME office provided support for operationalization and wearable buttons. Henry Ford Health Government Affairs supported the informational sessions (held during routine didactic time). Conclusions A series of interventions to improve GME trainees' participation in elections appeared to enhance participation in a primary election with low effort and apparent acceptability. An online toolkit with reference data, tips, and tools was created to allow others to replicate this effort.