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Find your state's Healthy Voting Guide here! 

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Find your state's Healthy Voting Guide here! 

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Did you know that communities who vote at higher rates have better health? That's because voting is one way you exercise your voice on decisions that affect your health, and the health of your family and neighbors.

This site helps you understand the many ways you can cast your ballot this year for a healthier community. You have options for how you vote, depending on the rules in your state. Your state also sets deadlines for mail and early voting, as well as voting hours on Election Day.

This site's Healthy Voting guidance is based on advice from leading public health experts as well as the latest updates to state election law. Healthy Voting focuses on the November 2022 general elections.

Healthy Voting is a non-partisan project of Healthy Democracy Healthy People in partnership with the Center for Tech and Civic Life, the Center for Civic Design, Vot-ER, American Public Health Association, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

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Did you know that communities who vote at higher rates have better health? That's because voting is one way you exercise your voice on decisions that affect your health, and the health of your family and neighbors. This site helps you understand the many ways you can cast your ballot this year for a healthier community.

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When communities vote they influence policy decisions that have a big effect on their health.

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Massachusetts: MPHA's Be a Public Health Voter! 

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Massachusetts: MPHA's Be a Public Health Voter! 

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To help educate voters about the important public health and equity issues facing our state, MPHA has created a public health voter checklist.

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The results of the 2022 elections in Massachusetts will have far-reaching impacts on public health and health equity in the Commonwealth. To help educate voters about the important public health and equity issues facing our state, MPHA has created a public health voter checklist. We encourage all registered voters to ask candidates for elected office about their positions on the questions listed below.

Key 2022 Election Dates

For the September 6, 2022 primary election in Massachusetts:

The deadline for registering to vote is August 27, 2022.

All registered voters can vote by mail.

Secure ballot drop-off locations are available.

Polling places are open on Election Day.

More Information on Voting in the Primary Election
For the November 8, 2022 general election in Massachusetts:

The deadline for registering to vote is October 19, 2022.

All registered voters can vote by mail.

Secure ballot drop-off locations are available.

Early voting locations are open before Election Day.

Polling places are open on Election Day.

More Information on Voting in the General Election
Public Health Voter Checklist

Massachusetts residents enjoy some of the best health outcomes in the country, but tremendous health disparities exist between different communities and populations. To achieve true health equity, state policies must promote the upstream conditions that create health and wellness, such as access to safe affordable housing and reliable public transportation. It is also critical to ensure that every Massachusetts resident benefits from high-quality public health protections. Before you head to the ballot box, find out where candidates stand on these key issues:
Improving Public Health Infrastructure
For candidates running for statewide office: Does the candidate support elevating the Commissioner of Public Health to a cabinet level position?

For candidates running for statewide office: Does the candidate have a clear plan for mitigating the impacts of future waves COVID-19 variants, including strategies for delivering additional rounds of vaccine to hard-hit communities and marginalized populations?
Transforming the Local Public Health System
Does the candidate support creating a21st-century local public health system for Massachusetts that includes minimum standards for every community?

Does the candidate support allocating state funding on an annual basis to help local boards of health achieve minimum standards and provide equitable public health protections to all Massachusetts residents?
Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis
Will the candidate prioritize affordable housing policy solutions that are supported by communities that have been disproportionately harmed by racist housing policies and practices?

Does the candidate support lifting the ban on rent control in Massachusetts?
Investing in Public Transportation
Is the candidate committed to providing affordable and reliable public transportation across the state, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality in low-income communities and improve public health outcomes?

Does the candidate support making Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) buses fare free?
Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
Does the candidate support support legislation to authorize safe consumption sites in Massachusetts?

Does the candidate support a public health approach to addressing the opioid epidemic and increasing evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders?

Additional Resources
Printable Version of the Public Health Voter Checklist Healthy Voting Information for Massachusetts

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The results of the 2022 elections in Massachusetts will have far-reaching impacts on public health and health equity in the Commonwealth. To help educate voters about the important public health and equity issues facing our state, MPHA has created a public health voter checklist.

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America is facing a record shortage of poll workers this year due to the coronavirus. Our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure elections run smoothly and everyone's vote is counted. You can make sure we have a safe, fair, efficient election for all.

Power the Polls requires Javascript enabled in your browser in order to sign-up. If you are having issues, general inquiries can be submitted by emailing info@powerthepolls.org. Although we can't guarantee a response to every email due to volume, we will try our best to reply.

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America is facing a record shortage of poll workers this year due to the coronavirus. Our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure elections run smoothly and everyone's vote is counted. You can make sure we have a safe, fair, efficient election for all.

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Massachusetts:  Support the Work and Family Mobility Act on the ballot this November!

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Massachusetts:  Support the Work and Family Mobility Act on the ballot this November!

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Massachusetts voters will decide this November whether to overturn a new law that makes undocumented immigrants eligible for driver's licenses.

The Secretary of State's office has certified the number of signatures needed to put the repeal effort on the ballot.

Under the law, called the Work and Family Mobility Act, those who entered the country illegally will be able to apply for a driver's license with certain documents, like a foreign passport or consular identification paperwork.

Sarang Sekhavat, with the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, said the law benefits immigrants and society as a whole.

"Ensuring all Massachusetts drivers meet the necessary identification, registration and testing requirements for driving just simply makes the roads safer," Sekhavat said.

But Jim Lyons, chair of the state Republican Party, argues driving is a privilege, not a right.

"The rule of law matters," Lyons said. "People that are in the country illegally should not be rewarded for their behavior by getting a driver's license."

The act became a law in June after the House and Senate both voted to override Gov. Charlie Baker's veto of its passage.

If the law is not overturned by voters, it will go into effect next July.

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Immigrant driver's license repeal effort will be on ballot this November

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Massachusetts voters will decide this November whether to overturn a new law that makes undocumented immigrants eligible for driver's licenses. The Secretary of State's office has certified the number of signatures needed to put the repeal effort on the ballot.

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Massachusetts: Support the Fair Share Amendment on the ballot this November! https://www.fairsharema.com/ 

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Massachusetts: Support the Fair Share Amendment on the ballot this November! https://www.fairsharema.com/ 

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Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment, would create a 4% tax on the portion of a person's annual income above $1 million and require - in the state constitution - that the funds be spent only on transportation and public education.

With Question 1, the top 1% of Massachusetts residents - those making over $1 million a year - would pay their fair share in taxes. 99% of us won't pay a penny more.

And because Question 1 will be written directly into the state constitution, the money would be constitutionally required to go only to transportation and public education. That means $2 billion a year, every year, for better roads, safer bridges, reliable public transportation, and public schools from pre-K through college.

On November 8, vote YES on 1.

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Fair Share Amendment | A Fair Tax System in Massachusetts

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Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment, would create a 4% tax on the portion of a person's annual income above $1 million and require - in the state constitution - that the funds be spent only on transportation and public education.

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Seattle, WA: Support getting Social Housing Initiative 135 on the ballot (volunteering, endorsements) 

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Seattle, WA: Support getting Social Housing Initiative 135 on the ballot (volunteering, endorsements) 

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https://crosscut.com/news/2022/05/seattles-social-housing-campaign-explained

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D.C.: Support ballot initiative 82 -Increase minimum wage for tipped employees 

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D.C.: Support ballot initiative 82 -Increase minimum wage for tipped employees 

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BALLOT INITIATIVE #82 - DC Committee to Build a Better Restaurant Industry

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INITIATIVE MEASURE No. 82 SHORT TITLE District of Columbia Tip Credit Elimination Act of 2021 Under current law, employers of employees classified as "tipped workers" may take a credit against tipped wages received by workers to satisfy the minimum wage guaranteed to all workers by law.