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Multicenter Study
. 2014 Sep-Oct;12(5):466-9.
doi: 10.1370/afm.1686.

Results of a voter registration project at 2 family medicine residency clinics in the Bronx, New York

Alisha Liggett  1 , Manisha Sharma  2 , Yumiko Nakamura  3 , Ryna Villar  2 , Peter Selwyn  2
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Results of a voter registration project at 2 family medicine residency clinics in the Bronx, New York

Alisha Liggett et al. Ann Fam Med. 2014 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: Federally qualified health centers provide care to medically underserved 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.

Keywords: civic engagement; family practice; primary care; social participation; voter registration; vulnerable populations.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schema and results of clinic-based voter registration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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