Scripts
Conversation Starters
Add this question to your Social Hx:
“With all that’s going on with COVID-19, I want to make sure you can vote in a safe and healthy way this year. Are you ready to vote in the upcoming election?“
*Bonus: Stay up to date on upcoming elections through ballotpedia.org or ballotready.org
Add this question at the end of a visit:
With all that’s going on with COVID-19, it can be hard to keep track of the normal things we typically do. Are you ready to vote this year?
*Alternative – Vote Safe:
With all that’s going on with COVID-19, I really want to make sure that you can vote in the safest and healthiest way possible. And the best way to do that would be to vote from home. Are you ready to vote from home this year?
Responsive Scripts
When the patient initiates the conversation.
Q: What’s up with your lanyard?
Your Response:
Great question. I want you to be ready to vote in the 2021 elections. You can use your phone to check your voter registration, request a mail-in ballot, learn how and where to vote, and learn about what’s on the ballot. Once you’re ready to vote, you can use the platform to remind friends as well.
I’ve got to run, but all you have to do is point your camera at this QR code, or you can text this number. The platform will walk you through all the steps and if you get stuck there’s even a helpline that can answer your questions.
Spanish Version
Patient:
¿De que se trata tu acollador?
Your response:
Muy buena pregunta. Yo quiero que usted pueda votar en la próxima elección de una manera segura y saludable. Usted puede usar su celular ahorita para revisar su inscripción de votante y solicitar su boleta electoral para votar desde su casa.Lo que usted ocupa de hacer es apuntar la cámara de su celular a este código QR o mandar un mensaje de texto a este número. La plataforma le ayudará con cada paso pero si tiene alguna confusión hay una línea de ayuda donde le contestaran sus preguntas.
Common Questions from Patients and Responses
Q: I don’t know if I am registered to vote, how do I check that?
Your Response: The VotER platform will walk you through exactly how to check your registration. Scan this QR code or text this code to this number and the website will help you to check your registration and update it if need be.
Spanish Version
No estoy seguro si estoy registrado para votar, como puedo averiguar?
Respuesta: La plataforma de VotER le mostrará exactamente cómo verificar su registro. Escanee este código o envíe este código a este número y el sitio web le ayudará a verificar su registro y actualizarlo si es necesario.
Q: How do I request my mail-in ballot?
Your Response: If you go to the website here (showing QR code or text code). They will ask if you would like to receive text or email updates about upcoming elections. Depending on your preference, they will then be able to text or email you the application for a mail in ballot.
Spanish Version
¿Cómo solicito mi boleta de votación por correo?
Respuesta: Si entra el sitio web aquí (enseñado el código QR o código de mensaje), le preguntaran si le gustaría recibir actualizaciones sobre las elecciones por mensajes de texto o por correo electrónico. Dependiendo de su preferencias, podrán enviarle un mensaje de texto o correo electrónico, con la aplicación para recibir una boleta por correo.
Q: Oh no, I don’t vote.
Your Response: I understand that registering, voting, and keeping up to date with election dates has been really confusing in the past. Also it doesn’t always feel that our vote makes any difference. Luckily, this website walks you through all the steps of registration up until casting your ballot. They will even send you texts or emails to keep you informed about election dates and locations. If you are interested, I want to make sure that you have every opportunity to have your vote heard, whether in your local community or on the national stage.
Spanish Version
Oh no, yo no voto.
Respuesta: Entiendo que registrarse, votar y mantenerse al día con las fechas de las elecciones ha sido realmente confuso en el pasado. Además, a veces no se siente que nuestro voto haga una diferencia. Afortunadamente, este sitio web lo guía paso a paso y le enseña cómo registrarse hasta entregar su voto. Incluso le enviarán mensajes de texto o correos electrónicos para mantenerlo informado sobre las fechas y lugares de las elecciones. Si está interesado, quiero asegurarme de que tenga todas las oportunidades para que se escuche su voto, ya sea en su comunidad local o al nivel nacional
Q: Will you be tracking whether I vote or know who I’m voting for if I scan your code?
Your Response: No, the decision to register to vote is completely yours to make, and once you follow the link, you’ll be sent to a secure voter registration platform called TurboVote. Neither myself nor my clinic will have the ability to track whether you registered, or who you vote for.
Spanish Version
¿Puede averiguar si voto o por quien voto si escaneo su código?
Respuesta: No, la decisión de registrarse para votar es completamente suya. Al seguir el enlace, lo llevará a una plataforma segura de registro de votantes llamada TurboVote. Ni yo ni mi clínica tendremos la capacidad de rastrear si usted se registró o por quién votó.
Q: How is this going to affect my care?
Your Response: This will not affect your care at all; whether you register to vote or choose not to, I will continue to provide you the highest quality of care. I see voting as one way that you can let our leaders know what is not working for you and I wanted to give you the opportunity to have your voice heard. If you decide not to register to vote, that is fine by me but I want to provide you the option.
Spanish Version
¿Cómo afectará esto mi atención médica?
Respuesta: Esto no afectará en lo absoluto su atención médica; ya sea que se registre para votar o decida no hacerlo, continuare brindándole atención de la más alta calidad. Veo la votación como una forma en la que nuestros líderes sepan lo que no está funcionando para usted y quisiera darle la oportunidad de que su voz se escuche. Esta bien si decide no registrarse, pero quiero brindarle la opción.
Q: My vote won’t change anything!
Your Response: Often when we talk about voting, we all focus on national elections. Even in those, each vote matters; some presidential races are won by around 500 votes. More importantly in local and state elections your voice really matters. Those people went into public office to support their communities. They want to hear from you about what needs to change. Voting is a great first step in telling them what is working and what’s not.
Spanish Version
¡Pero mi voto no cambiará nada!
Respuesta: Muchas veces, cuando hablamos del votar, todos nos centramos en las elecciones nacionales. Incluso en esos, cada voto importa. Algunas carreras presidenciales se ganan por alrededor de 500 votos. Más importante aún, en las elecciones locales y estatales, su voz es aún más importante. Estas personas asumieron cargo público para apoyar a sus comunidades. Quieren saber lo que usted piensa que debe cambiar. Votar es un gran paso para decirles qué funciona y qué no.
Q: Are you registered to vote? Isn’t this partisan?
Your Response: I am all about participation; I want to make sure you have the opportunity to vote. Whether you vote Democrat, Republican or any of that doesn’t matter at all to me as long as you are making your voice heard. Are you registered to vote?.
Spanish Version
¿Está usted registrado para votar? ¿No es esto partidista?
Respuesta: A mi me encanta la participación y yo quiero asegurarme de que usted tenga la oportunidad de votar. Si usted vota por los demócratas, republicanos o cualquier otro partido, a mi no me importa en lo absoluto, siempre y cuando usted haga oír su voz. ¿Está usted registrado para votar?
Q: Voter ID / specific process questions
Your Response: The details of voter registration can be a little complicated, but luckily the website I’m sending you to has a text hotline where a real person can help answer questions you have about the process!
Spanish Version
Los detalles de la inscripción electoral son algo complicados. ¡Pero afortunadamente, el sitio web que le di tiene una línea directa de mensajes de texto en la cual una persona real podrá contestar sus preguntas acerca del proceso!
Q: I am / my family member is an immigrant. Will voting in these elections negatively affect me or my family?
Your Response: I understand you may be concerned that voting may negatively impact you or your family, but I want to assure you that voting is not a threat to you. If you feel strongly about immigration or other issues, voting is a great way to make your voice heard and impact policies that affect your family and community.
Spanish Version
Yo soy / un miembro de mi familia es inmigrante. Si voto en estas elecciones, ¿habrá consecuencias negativas para mi o mi familia?
Respuesta: Yo entiendo que usted está preocupado que el votar le afecte a usted o a su familia de una forma negativa. Pero quiero asegurarle que votar no es un peligro para usted. Si tiene opiniones fuertes acerca del tema de inmigracion o alguna otra cuestión, el votar es una manera muy buena para hacer que su voz se escuche e impactar las pólizas que afectan a usted y su familia.
Q: Who are you voting for?
Your Response: I’m voting for you and your health. In fact, I’m voting for all of my patients. I would love it if you could support me and my colleagues in healthcare by making sure to vote this fall.
*Alternative – Your Response: As your doctor, I can’t advise you on who to vote for. But regardless of who you support, I think it’s vital we all make our voices heard by voting.
Spanish Version
Patient:
¿Y por quién va a votar usted?
Your Response:
Yo voy a votar por su salud. De hecho, voy a votar por la salud de todos mis pacientes. Me encantaría que usted nos apoye a mi y a mis colegas del hospital votando en este otoño.
*Alternative — Your Response:
Como su doctor, yo no le puedo aconsejar por quien votar. Pero independientemente de a quien apoye, yo pienso que es importante votar para que nuestra voz se oiga.
Q: What’s on the ballot this year? Or, there’s an election this year?
Your Response:
The landing page can help you look up who and what is on your ballot this year. You can learn about the candidates and the positions before the election using the platform.
Thank you to CDU/UCLA LMSA Chapter for providing the materials to discuss voter registration with patients in Spanish! For a video model of how to start the conversation, click here.
Common Questions from Colleagues and Responses
We have heard themes among the thousands of providers who use healthy democracy kits in the way colleagues react to the use of the kits. Below are some of the common examples and potential responses.
Q: I am way too busy to help people register to vote, I bet you are too; why do they want us to do this?
Your Response: With the VotER lanyard, I have just been directing my patients to the VotER online voter registration website. They actually have a live person and a helpline that the patient can use if they get stuck. I have not had to sit down with any patient and help register them to vote; the platform takes care of that part. I am mainly a billboard and it takes me less than 10 seconds to show my patients the badge backer and let them get to the website.
Q: Why is it our responsibility to help others to vote?
Your Response: We both have cared for patients whose primary issue was not medical. The social determinants of health are largely set by local, state, and national decisions and leaders. I view it as part of my professional responsibility to include patient voices in those decisions. It will make your and my lives easier if people had the resources they need and we could focus on their health care.
Q: You’re really just trying to help the Democrats aren’t you?
Your response: My goal is to help patients use their voice. VotER is a nonpartisan organization, and our goal is simply to help patients register to vote. If a patient starts discussing partisan topics, I don’t engage with them and instead discuss the importance of voting participation for all citizens.
Q: Do patients get upset with you?
Your response: That doesn’t typically happen. Actually, most patients have been happy to have the opportunity to exercise their voice. Of course, if they choose not to register, I respect that decision and don’t pressure them.
Q: What’s up with your lanyard?
Your Response: Great question. I’m working with an organization called VotER that is working to help patients vote in the upcoming election in a safe and healthy way. They can use their phone to check their voter registration and request a ballot to vote from home. I’d love to help you sign up for a Healthy Democracy kit, too – are you interested?