2020 is a Watershed Election Year:  Nationally, we’ll elect a new President and Vice President.  In California, we will elect US Congressional representatives, State elected officials and local lawmakers. Californians will also decide on important state and local ballot measures.

The CAFP is urging members and their patients to VOTE for the health of our country!  We are making it easy to help your patients learn more with downloadable information and e-resources.

A Few Dates to Remember:

October 5 – Vote-by-mail ballots sent to all California registered voters

October 19 – The last day to register to vote; your registration must be postmarked or submitted electronically by 10/19.

November 3 – Election Day

Voting has Never Been Easier:

All California voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot. You can drop your completed ballot in a mailbox anytime until November 3. You can also drop your ballot off or vote in-person at a polling place on election day (don’t forget your mask!). Some counties even offer in-person early voting before Election Day.  Find an early voting location at www.CAEarlyVoting.sos.ca.gov.

Lost your Ballot? No Problem! You can contact your local elections official https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/ and ask for a new one, or go to a polling place to vote in person on election day or at an early voting location.

To Register to Vote, You Must Be:

• A United States citizen and a resident of California,
• 18 years old or older on Election Day,
• Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony (for more information on the rights of people who have been incarcerated, please see the Secretary of State's Voting Rights: Persons with a Criminal History), and
• Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship).

Are there legal barriers or rules against voter registration promotion in clinics?

• 501 (c)(3) hospitals and clinics are permitted to engage in voter education and registration activities as long as all activities are conducted in a nonpartisan manner.
• All materials provided in this toolkit are permissible voter registration materials under legal guidelines for hospitals and clinics.
• For a more detailed description of permissible activities versus prohibited “election-related” activities: Click here for a legal brief from the American Hospital Association.

Can patients with felony convictions register to vote?

• Refer patients to the Restore Your Vote website to screen for eligibility. https://campaignlegal.org/restoreyourvote

What if my patient is homeless?

• The patient can register using an address of a place they frequent, such as a church that agrees to accept mail for the individual, or a shelter.

VoteHealth 2020

VoteHealth 2020 is a growing nonpartisan coalition of health professionals collaborating to increase the number of our peers and patients who register and vote this November.  Check the website periodically for updates on how you can get involved at votehealth2020.com or email info@votehealth2020.com.

For complete voting/election information go to the California Secretary of State’s website:

https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/election-2020/