Vot-ER is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to integrate civic engagement into healthcare.
Vot-ER develops nonpartisan civic engagement tools and programs for every corner of the healthcare system—from private practitioners to medical schools to hospitals.
Our work is driven by a community of health care professionals, organizers, clinical students, and technologists united by a common vision: healthy communities powered by inclusive democracy.
Together, we’ve expanded Vot-ER programs into over 500 hospitals and clinics and helped tens of thousands of Americans register and prepare to vote.
Vot-ER Founder Dr. Alister Martin
Our story
Healthy Communities, Better Patient Outcomes
Dr. Alister Martin, an emergency physician, started Vot-ER as a pilot program at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2019. Like so many nurses, social workers, medical students, and doctors across America, Dr. Martin goes to work every day knowing he’ll meet people he can’t help through medical care alone.
Dr. Martin founded Vot-ER because he believes there’s one simple but powerful step we can take immediately: help patients vote.
The Next Voting Frontier—Our Healthcare System
Voting is just one tool to advocate for what we care about—but it’s a powerful one.
Research shows that our communities are healthier when more voters can participate in the democratic process. States with more inclusive voting policies and higher civic participation rates have better health outcomes.
The broad reach of our healthcare system, combined with the trusted role many doctors, nurses, and social workers hold in their communities, make healthcare an ideal arena for civic engagement to engage voters.
How It Works
Vot-ER partners with TurboVote, powered by Democracy Works, to provide voter registration assistance and election reminders. All voter registrations are completed directly with election offices via official Secretary of State websites, the federally-approved National Voter Registration Form, and state-specific registration forms. Every voter must meet their state’s eligibility requirements, and confirm their eligibility directly with their state. When TurboVote users indicate that they are not U.S. citizens, they are unable to complete the registration assistance process. You can learn more about TurboVote here.
Join Us
Vot-ER badges are an easy way for health professionals to integrate civic engagement into their practice.
Over 400 hospitals and civic organizations unite to celebrate Civic Health Month in August.
Donate
Help ensure that every eligible American is given the opportunity to vote.
Our Advisors
