RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Results of a Voter Registration Project at 2 Family Medicine Residency Clinics in the Bronx, New York
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 466
OP 469
DO 10.1370/afm.1686
VO 12
IS 5
A1 Liggett, Alisha
A1 Sharma, Manisha
A1 Nakamura, Yumiko
A1 Villar, Ryna
A1 Selwyn, Peter
YR 2014
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/12/5/466.abstract
AB 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.