Voting is an important tool to influence public policies that impact the health of children, families and communities. Candidates elected to positions up and down the ballot shape these policies – which is why advocacy during an election season is critical!
Pediatricians can play a vital role in educating their eligible patients and families about the importance of voting and speaking out about the need to elect lawmakers who will prioritize children’s health.
Children can’t vote, but you can, and so your vote is powerful. That is why every national election season AAP leads a nonpartisan Get Out the Vote campaign to equip pediatricians with the tools they need to speak up for kids at the ballot box.
Every election season brings new opportunities to advocate for children. While one election year might look different from the next in terms of who – and what – is on the ballot, there are several things to always keep in mind as you prepare for Election Day.
Preparing to Vote
Most importantly, make sure you have a plan to cast your ballot! Vote.org and your state election’s office are great places to start.
- Check your voter registration: Make sure you are registered to vote. And if not, do so before your state’s deadline. This is especially important for medical students or residents who may have moved.
- Know your state requirements and deadlines: Look for your state’s documentation requirements and deadlines for registering and casting your ballot.
- Make your voting plan: Will you vote in-person, vote by mail or absentee ballot, or vote early? Get to know your state’s voting options. If you are voting in-person, locate your polling place and request time off from work if needed.
- Spread the VoteKids message: When you do go to the polls or attend voter registration events in your community, wear any VoteKids buttons or swag you have in order to raise awareness about the importance of voting with kids in mind. Don’t forget to take a photo!
Learning About Issues at Stake & Where Candidates Stand
Take the steps to understand what is at stake each election and the major child health issues that may be taking center stage. And, getting to know candidates’ positions on key child health issues is a vital part of the process. There are several ways to learn more about where candidates stand on issues that are important to you:
- Go to each candidate's website and see their stance on children's issues
- Participate in town halls and candidate forums to learn more and consider asking where the candidates stand on child health
- Check in with your AAP chapter for any election resources on where candidates stand for children
Getting Out the Vote!
Pediatricians have the unique opportunity to educate eligible patients and their families about the importance of voting.
As a first step, get to know your institution’s policies to understand what you are able to do as an individual, pediatrician or an administrator.
The AAP partners with Vot-ER – a nonpartisan, health professional-driven organization working to integrate civic engagement into healthcare. Pediatricians can use Vot-ER’s tools and resources to help educate patients and their parents on the importance of civic engagement:
- Vot-ER Badges: A free, easy tool where patients can access a nonpartisan, self-service voter registration platform via QR Code - and a reliable way to impact your patient’s health beyond the medical care they receive.
- Conversation Starters about Voting: Research backed, non-partisan dialogue for how to discuss voting with both your 18-year-old patients and the parents of younger patients.
The Connection Between Voting and Health Equity
Health equity means that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to live to their full health potential. This means that race, class, gender, or other social circumstances should not systematically make it more difficult to attain good health.
Voting is one of the main ways that citizens can affect policies and laws that govern access to essential resources like high-quality nutrition, education, housing, and health care. Children, particularly those from historically under-resourced communities, suffer when existing laws and policies endanger their access to vital resources and opportunities that shape their health.
Young adults who vote and who are civically engaged have better mental health, achieve higher levels of education, and attain higher incomes. States with a higher voter turnout have better access to healthcare. Conversely, socioeconomic inequality and poor voter turnout are associated with poorer self-reported health.
Voting helps disadvantaged groups use their power to achieve more equitable access to the resources and opportunities that drive good health.
AAP Voices Blogs
Pediatricians share their perspectives on the importance of voting and the connection between voting and health.
Last Updated
09/26/2022
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics