Addressing health disparities through voter engagement

Although the public’s essential capacity for self-rule in the United States lies in the power of the ballot, there exist many barriers to voting, particularly for marginalized communities. These barriers cultivate less representative government and less inclusive public policy. Nonprofit and private health organizations, and in particular community health centers and safety-net hospitals, can help marginalized voting-eligible individuals overcome barriers to the ballot. With augmented, unbiased voter participation, elections would yield government that is more representative and public policy that is more equitable, while reducing costly and preventable health disparities. Health organizations can promote comprehensive, nonpartisan voter engagement through registration, mobilization, education, and protection of all voters. (author abstract)