VOTING WITH CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND A PEDIATRICIAN’S SCHEDULE AAP ADVOCACY TRAINING VOTING WITH CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND A PEDIATRICIAN’S SCHEDULE IN MIND

Introduction Elections take place at every level of government and all elections can help advance children’s health issues. Elections—especially those at the local level—are often overlooked and provide crucial opportunities for pediatricians to advocate on behalf of children and children’s health issues.

Keeping the Rules in Mind You can engage in almost any political campaign or election activity as a public citizen, but political and election activity on behalf of the AAP, AAP chapter, or your place of residency has some restrictions. Certain political and election activities are restricted or prohibited due to your AAP chapter or organization’s tax status. If you are acting as a public citizen, don’t use your AAP, hospital/clinic, or academic title, as that can imply endorsement of those organizations. The AAP Division of State Government Affairs and the Department of Federal Affairs can provide more information about permissible nonpartisan political campaign and election activities. Trainer Notes: Mention that participating in nonpartisan voting and election activities is doable as a pediatric resident, but that it is important to remember the rules. Remind pediatric residents with what they can do as an individual pediatrician is different from what is legal and permissible as a member of your chapter, nonprofit organization, or place of residency.

Why Elections Matter Provide opportunity to demonstrate to decision-makers that pediatricians and others are voting with children’s health in mind. Electing people who are willing to make children’s health a priority results in better public policies and initiatives for children’s health at all levels of government. Offers another way to educate elected officials, candidates and voters about children’s health. Pediatricians can establish themselves as a constituency that deserves the attention of those running for office.

TYPES OF PUBLIC ELECTIONS There are many different types of public elections that take place, including: school board park board city council or mayor county government judicial elections state government (state legislators and state executive branch) federal government (federal legislators and federal executive branch) Trainer Notes: Ask pediatric residents for examples of a children’s health issue that relates to each of these types of elections. Some examples could include: School board: vending machines, after school programs, Park board: open spaces for exercising, safe parks City council or mayor: curfew policies, local clean indoor air policies County governments: home nursing programs Judicial elections: child protection, child custody, adoption Ballot initiatives: school referendums State government: child care services/standards Federal government: S-CHIP, funding for research

How to Use Nonpartisan Election Work to Advance Your Issue Voter registration Voter education Voter mobilization, eg “Get-Out-The-Vote” (GOTV) Town Hall or candidate forums Trainer Notes: Note that pediatric residents involvement in political campaigns and elections will generally fall into three basic activity areas: voter registration, voter education, and voter mobilization, or Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV). State that there are many ways that you – as a pediatric resident – can participate in these voter engagement activities in a nonpartisan way as part of your chapter, your place of residency, or another nonprofit organization.

Voter Registration Involves registering new or lapsed voters so that they can legally vote on Election Day. Helps assure that people who care about children’s health issues are able to demonstrate their care and concern at the polls. Voter registration laws are different in every state, so please consult your secretary of state’s office or state or local election commission for specifics about registering voters in your area. A helpful resource for voter registration is: www.vote411.org Trainer Notes: Mention that registering and voting themselves is an important first step to using elections to advance children’s health issues. Provide pediatric residents with information about registering to vote in their state or with the contact information to the secretary of state’s office. In addition to registering themselves to vote, encourage pediatric residents to talk to their friends, family members, colleagues, and patients’ families to register to vote.

Voter Education Involves providing voters with the tools they need to learn about candidate’s positions on issues that matter to them, such as children’s health or pediatric practice issues. Great way to raise public awareness about your issue and assure that children’s health concerns are included in the public debates that occur during the political campaign and election process. Trainer Notes: Mention that some examples of nonpartisan voter education that pediatric residents can participate in include: Talking to your family, friends, patient’s families, and professional colleagues about your issue and where the candidates competing for elected office stand on the issue. Providing voting records and voter education materials in your professional setting for your patient’s families and colleagues to scrutinize. Educating candidates on your issue. Attending a candidate forum hosted by your AAP chapter, community group, children’s advocacy agency, or nonprofit organization in your community.

Voter Mobilization (Get Out the Vote) Help ensure that voters get to the polls on Election Day so they can cast their ballots on behalf of children’s health and well-being. Trainer Notes: Mention that some examples of nonpartisan GOTV activities that pediatric residents can participate in include: Voting. Don’t forget to take time to vote on Election Day, either in person or through an absentee ballot. Working with your employer to allow a half hour late arrival or early departure for employees to accommodate voting. Reminding the people who you come into contact with on Election Day to vote. Displaying “Vote Today” signs prominently in your professional setting.

Town Hall or Candidate Forums Invite candidates to address community about children’s health and well-being related issues. A great opportunity to educate candidates on issues you care about and demonstrate how many other people share your interests. Can also bring media coverage to your issue. Forums can be big or small, but do require planning.

Tips for Planning Town Hall or Candidate Forums Partner with other organizations. This will allow you to draw upon additional resources and divide the work load. Important to follow IRS guidelines. Talk to your hospital’s government affairs or public relations office—they may be able to help set up these forums. AAP has resources and planning guide, with templates and sample agenda. (http://aap.grassroots.com/resources.dyn/TownHallGuide.pdf) Invite academic experts or representatives from children advocacy groups to present information about the candidates’ positions at Grand Rounds or at a noon conference or morning report. Trainer Notes: Remind residents that certain activities may be prohibited or limited because of your organization’s tax status. Check with your hospital government affairs staff or the AAP State/Federal Government Affairs staff if you have questions.

Making a Difference Elected officials have the power to make decisions on children’s health issues at all levels of government. Pediatricians have the power to vote, as well as engage others who care about children’s health and well-being, to get involved in nonpartisan election activities on behalf of the issues that are important to them. Don’t forget about the rules!

Additional Resources & Information AAP Advocacy Guide (www.aap.org/moc/advocacyguide) AAP Chapters (www.aap.org/member/chapters/chapters.htm) AAP Division of State Government Affairs (www.aap.org/moc/stgovaffairs) AAP Department of Federal Affairs (http://federaladvocacy.aap.org ) AAP Community Pediatrics Training Initiative (www.aap.org/commpeds/CPTI)