Community Health Centers Can Get out the Vote

Engaging in voter participation is crucial for community health centers (CHCs). Equitable access to healthcare is directly influenced by the decisions of elected officials, and it is essential for the communities you serve to have a voice in the electoral process. Luckily, CHCs are allowed to participate in voter registration activities as long as they do so in an unbiased and nonpartisan manner. Did you know that voting is recognized as a social determinant of health? Research shows that states with greater levels of civic participation have better health outcomes. Below are some tips, tools, and resources to help your voter engagement efforts.

Voting in Washington State

Don’t know where to start? Go to https://vote.health/wahealth for all your voting needs in one spot.

Cutoff dates
Ways to register in WA
Online registration form
Print mail-in voter registration forms (23 languages available)

NOTE: It’s important to register to vote as soon as possible; do not wait until election day! Although election day registration is now possible, you must visit one of Washington’s few voting centers to do so. Registration forms must be received eight days before an election, so aim to register online or by mail at least two weeks in advance.

How can CHCs in Washington participate in voter registration? 

Vot-ER Materials

Vot-ER is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to integrate civic engagement into health care. Click the images below to download materials produced by Vot-ER to support your voter engagement efforts. Visit Vot-ER.org for additional information and materials.

Vot-ER Overview
Badge Ordering Template
MyChart My Health Toolkit
Voter Registration Conversation Starters (Spanish)
Voter Registration Best Practices
Voter Registration in Medical Settings - Compliance Info
Healthcare Civic Engagement Powerpoint
Remind Your Colleagues to Vote - Email Template
Voter Registration Conversation Starters (English)

Other voter engagement organizations we like (all non-partisan)

WA state League of Women Voters – A nonpartisan, volunteer, member-directed organization focused on making sure democracy works, with a focus on voter services, non-partisan information and education, as well as advocacy. Find your local League of Women Voters chapter here.

When We All Vote – A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to increase participation in every election and close the race and age gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and forming strategic partnerships to reach every American.

Vote.org – A nonprofit, nonpartisan voting registration and get out the vote (GOTV) platform whose mission is to use technology to simplify political engagement, increase voter turnout, and strengthen American democracy.

© Copyright 2024 Community Health Network of Washington
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