Abstract
PURPOSE Federally qualified health centers provide care to medically under-served populations, the same individuals often underrepresented in the electoral process. These centers are unique venues to access patients for voter registration services.
METHODS We undertook a clinician-led, nonpartisan voter registration drive within 2 university-affiliated federally qualified health centers in the Bronx, New York. Patients were approached by voter registration volunteers in clinic waiting areas during a 12-week period.
RESULTS Volunteers directly engaged with 304 patients. Of the 128 patients who were eligible and not currently registered, 114 (89%) registered to vote through this project. This number corresponded to 38% of all patients engaged. Sixty-five percent of new registrants were aged younger than 40 years.
CONCLUSIONS This project was successful in registering clinic patients to vote. Clinics are not only health centers, but also powerful vehicles for bringing a voice to civically disenfranchised communities.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 466-469 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Annals of family medicine |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Civic engagement
- Family practice
- Primary care
- Social participation
- Voter registration
- Vulnerable populations
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Family Practice