Voting is often described as a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy. However, it might surprise you to learn that physicians on average vote at a rate 5% lower than the general population and are less likely to vote than lawyers, engineers, nurses and pharmacists. In a world where political decisions impact nearly every aspect of our lives, voting is crucial not just for fostering a democratic society, but also for creating a policy environment that allows rheumatology practices to thrive.
As we near the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline, we want to remind you that now is the time to register to vote and make a plan to vote in November. As elections are decided by smaller and smaller margins, your vote has more value than ever. Exercising your right to vote is crucial to ensuring that the voices of providers and patients are represented and heard at every level of government.
Shaping Public Policy
Voting is one of the most direct ways an individual can influence public policy. Elected officials will have wide-ranging effects on such issues as education, healthcare, defense and infrastructure. By voting, you contribute to the selection of leaders who align with your values and priorities, helping to shape the policies that affect your daily life and practice. From utilization management reform to pharmacy benefit manager reform, your vote sends a message and helps establish the priorities of the next state and federal legislative sessions. Selecting candidates who support your policy priorities will help ensure that rheumatology continues to be represented in the legislative decision making process.
Registering to Vote
Registering to vote is a relatively easy process. In many states it can be done online or by mail. The cutoff for voter registration is Oct. 7. An online registration must be completed by the end of the day on Oct. 7, and mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 7. Visit vote.gov to find more information about how to register to vote in your state.
Checking Your Registration
If you have previously registered to vote, now is a good time to check whether your registration is still current. If you have moved, gotten married or divorced or had other life events that would result in a name or address change, it is a good idea to make sure that your information is correct. This will ensure that your registration is current and that you know the correct polling location.
Increasingly, states are purging voter rolls for various reasons. Be proactive and check your registration status before every election so you are not denied the right to vote. Remember, if you show up to vote and are denied a ballot because of questions about your registration status, you can request a provisional ballot. This allows you to cast your vote while your registration status is being determined. However, it is best to avoid that situation by learning how to check your voter registration status at vote.gov.
Make a Voting Plan
This might seem a bit unnecessary now, but you are a busy professional. Work gets busy and life sometimes gets even busier. Making a voting plan now will help you figure out exactly how voting will fit in with your already busy schedule. Check the early voting periods offered in your area to see if they include weekends or align with already scheduled off time, a lighter patient day at the office or a day when you might be able to vote before or after work.
If it’s not possible to vote early, talk with your colleagues now and work together to formulate an Election Day plan that will give all of you an opportunity to go to the polls. By planning ahead, you can make sure you get to the polls in a way that works best for you and creates the least amount of stress possible.
Conclusion
The act of voting is more than just a civic duty; it is a powerful tool for shaping the future of our communities and nation. In a time where every vote can make a difference, participating in elections is not only a right but a responsibility that can lead to impactful change. Whether or not you like the outcome of a given election, remember that by voting for our leaders you are doing something that not many people throughout the course of human history have had the privilege of doing. It may be the most important and consequential right of all. We encourage you to enthusiastically exercise that right at every opportunity.
Joseph Cantrell, JD, is ACR’s director of state affairs and community relations.
