2022 Voter Engagement Guide
UPDATED NOVEMBER 1, 2022
In June 2022 the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates adopted a resolution declaring that voting is a social determinant of health. Studies have consistently shown a correlation between voting and a growing range of health indicators, including lower child mortality, reduced risk of cancer death, and improved mental health.
Reflecting this growing recognition of the link between voting and health, the National Association of Community Health Centers is encouraging health centers to make voter engagement a centerpiece of activities during National Health Center Week, August 7-13, 2022. Additionally, 2022 is an election year, and health—including the “Value Them Both” constitutional amendment on the primary election ballot—will figure prominently in the election. There is no better time for member clinics to encourage their patients to become engaged voters.
Community Care encourages clinics to participate in voter engagement activities. We have prepared this guide to share important information and resources for clinics conducting voter engagement activities and for voters or prospective voters.
GUIDE CONTENTS
You can click on an item in the table of contents below to skip directly to that section of the Voter Engagement Guide.
General Voter Engagement Activity Guidelines
Voter engagement is not just a Community Care Clinic Week activity.
Clinics will be most effective in encouraging patients to participate in elections if they are consciously encouraging voter engagement throughout the election season, or even year-round.
Voter engagement activities must be nonpartisan.
As nonprofit organizations, clinics are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities, including supporting or opposing candidates. This election checklist from Bolder Advocacy is a great resource for nonprofits to follow to ensure that their activities remain nonpartisan.
If you choose to register voters, do so with caution.
Many organizations in Kansas that have traditionally registered voters are not doing so because of a 2021 Kansas law that makes “engaging in conduct that would cause another person to believe a person is [representing oneself as an election official] a felony. Additionally, FQHCs should remember that HRSA prohibits Section 330 funds from being used “to support voter registration efforts.” You should consult your legal counsel before directly conducting voter registration activities.
More information on permissible engagement activities.
Bolder Advocacy is an excellent resource on permissible engagement activities and resources about voter engagement.
Bolder Advocacy consists of lawyers, coaches and nonprofit experts with one big goal: to make advocacy easy and accessible for you, the nonprofit and foundation leaders who want to be great fighters for your cause.
Timeline For The 2022 Election
Below is the timeline for the 2022 Election cycle in Kansas leading up to the General Election on November 8, 2022. Click on the dates to expand each section for details.
Deadline to register to be eligible to vote in the primary election.
In-person advance voting begins. Beginning date varies by county. Counties may permit advance voting up to 20 days before an election, but at least one week before an election. All counties must offer in-person advance voting.
Deadline for submitting applications to county election offices for a mail ballot.
In-person advance voting ends at 12:00 pm.
Primary Election Day. If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or before this date.
Deadline to register to be eligible to vote in the general election.
Advance voting. (Beginning date varies by county)
Deadline for submitting applications to county election offices for a mail ballot.
In-person advance voting ends at 12:00 pm.
General Election Day. If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or before this date.
Social Media Toolkit
Below are a number of social media posts you can use to help promote voter registration, voter resources, and voter information as well. Be sure to use the correct image size for each platform so they display correctly. We have included some example text as well which you can use verbatim or edit to meet your organization’s specific needs.
FACEBOOK POSTS
The following images & text are specifically designed for Facebook. Click on an image below to expand it, then right-click to download. You can copy/paste the text below each image to create a post with a link to voter resources.
Register to vote in the General Election this November. You must be registered by October 18. To register to vote in Kansas, visit the Kansas Online Voter Registration website at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/VoterReg
Kansas allows all registered voters to vote in advance by mail. To get started, voters must complete an application for an advance ballot and include their driver’s license number or a copy of their photo identification. The deadline to submit advance voting applications to your county election official is November 1 for the 2022 general election. Ballots will be mailed to those who apply beginning October 19. All ballots MUST be postmarked on or before election day and received in the county election office by the close of business on the Friday following the election.
Download the advance voting application PDF: https://www.sos.ks.gov/forms//elections/AV1.pdf
The Kansas General Election is on November 8. To check your registration, see who is on your ballot, and find out where to vote — check out KSVotes.org, a non-profit online voter registration service.
https://www.ksvotes.org/
Today is the Kansas General Election and it’s time to go vote! You can find your polling station by clicking the following link for the Kansas VoterView tool. https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview
Many people don’t vote because they believe their one vote doesn’t matter. The reality is that elections are often decided by very close margins. Governments would be significantly more representative if everyone voted. The more people participate in elections and exercise their right to vote, the more important it is for politicians to represent voter interests.
Voting doesn’t have to be confusing. On November 8, registered voters can vote in the Kansas General Election to help decide leadership and government policy in our state. Use this tool by vote411 to see what’s on your ballot, check your voter registration, and find your polling place. https://www.vote411.org/
INSTAGRAM POSTS
The following images & text are specifically designed for Instagram (though, you can use them for Facebook or Twitter as well). Click on an image below to expand it, then right-click to download. You can copy/paste the text below each image to create a post with hashtags.
Make sure you are registered to vote in the General Election this November. You must be registered by October 18. To register, visit the Kansas Secretary of State’s website to register online or visit your local county office to register in person.
———-
#EveryVoteMatters #KansasElections #GeneralElection #Vote #VoteToday #ElectionDay #ElectionDayKansas #Kansas #November8 #Republican #Democrat #Independent
Kansas allows all registered voters to vote in advance by mail. To register for advanced voting, visit the Kansas Secretary of State’s website to register online or visit your local county office to register in person.
To get started, voters must complete an application for an advance ballot and include their driver’s license number or a copy of their photo identification. The deadline to submit advance voting applications to your county election official is November 1 for the 2022 general election. Ballots will be mailed to those who apply beginning October 19. All ballots MUST be postmarked on or before election day and received in the county election office by the close of business on the Friday following the election.
———-
#EveryVoteMatters #KansasElections #GeneralElection #Vote #VoteToday #ElectionDay #ElectionDayKansas #Kansas #November8 #Republican #Democrat #Independent
The Kansas General Election is on November 8. Do you know who will be on your ballot?
To check your registration, see who is on your ballot, and find out where to vote — check out KSVotes.org, a non-profit online voter registration service.
———-
#EveryVoteMatters #KansasElections #GeneralElection #Vote #VoteToday #ElectionDay #ElectionDayKansas #Kansas #November8 #Republican #Democrat #Independent
Today is the Kansas General Election and it’s time to go vote!
Not sure where to go? Want to see what will be on your ballot before you go vote? Check out vote411.org to get all the information you’re looking for.
———-
#EveryVoteMatters #KansasElections #GeneralElection #Vote #VoteToday #ElectionDay #ElectionDayKansas #Kansas #November8 #Republican #Democrat #Independent
Many people don’t vote because they believe their one vote doesn’t matter. The reality is that elections are often decided by very close margins. Governments would be significantly more representative if everyone voted. The more people participate in elections and exercise their right to vote, the more important it is for politicians to represent voter interests.
———-
#EveryVoteMatters #KansasElections #GeneralElection #Vote #VoteToday #ElectionDay #ElectionDayKansas #Kansas #November8 #Republican #Democrat #Independent
Voting doesn’t have to be confusing. On November 8, you can vote in the Kansas General Election (if you are registered to vote) and help decide leadership and government policy in our state. Visit vote411.org to see what’s on your ballot, check your voter registration, and find your polling place.
———-
#EveryVoteMatters #KansasElections #GeneralElection #Vote #VoteToday #ElectionDay #ElectionDayKansas #Kansas #November8 #Republican #Democrat #Independent
FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM STORIES
The following images are specifically designed for Facebook & Instagram Stories. Click on an image below to expand it, then right-click to download. Stories are a great way to get information to your followers for a limited period of time. These images are designed so you don’t need to add anything — simply create a photo story, load the image, and then select “Swipe Up For Link” to add either the suggested link or a link of your choosing. When viewers swipe up, they will be directed to the link you provided. Please note: on Instagram, you must have a minimum of 1,000 followers to use the “Swipe Up” feature, there is no minimum on Facebook.
https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/VoterReg
https://www.sos.ks.gov/forms//elections/AV1.pdf
https://www.ksvotes.org/
https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview
TWITTER POSTS
The following images are specifically designed for Twitter. Click on an image below to expand it, then right-click to download. You can copy/paste the text below each image to create a post with a link to voter resources. (Twitter posts are limited to 280 characters)
Register to vote in the Kansas #GeneralElection this November. You must be registered by October 18. To register to vote in Kansas, visit the Kansas Online Voter Registration website at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/VoterReg
Kansas allows all registered voters to vote in advance by mail. The deadline to submit advance voting applications to your county election official is November 1 for the 2022 Kansas #GeneralElection. Download the advance voting application PDF: https://www.sos.ks.gov/forms//elections/AV1.pdf
The Kansas #GeneralElection is on November 8. To check your registration, see who is on your ballot, and find out where to vote — check out KSVotes.org, a non-profit online voter registration service.
https://www.ksvotes.org/
Today is the Kansas General Election and it’s time to go vote! You can find your polling station by clicking the following link for the Kansas VoterView tool. https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview
Many people don’t vote because they believe their one vote doesn’t matter. Governments are more representative when more people participate in elections & exercise their right to vote! Make a plan to vote on November 8 in the Kansas #GeneralElection. #Vote
Voting doesn’t have to be confusing. On November 8, #vote in the Kansas #GeneralElection to help decide leadership & government policy in our state. Visit vote411.org to see what’s on your ballot, check your registration, & find your polling place. @VOTE411
Resources For Kansas Voters
Below are a number of resources for voters you can share with your patient populations about the 2022 Election.
KSVotes.org
Non-profit online voter registration service where voters may check their registration status, register to vote, or apply for an advance ballot. Maintained by The Voter Network.
“We can help you register to vote, check your registration, apply to vote by mail, or track your advance ballot status.”
The Voter Network (KSBallot)
An online tool by KSBallot.org where voters can view what will be on their ballot by entering their address. The resource also includes brief bios of candidates and information about their published positions on a handful of issues. Maintained by The Voter Network.
“There are a lot of different reasons why people don’t vote. Not being able to find out who is on your ballot should not be one of them! Forget your endless google searching – KSBallot is live for the August 2022 election! Enter your address in the form to see who is on your ballot, find out where to vote early and on election day, and even set reminders to go vote!”
VOTE 411
Voter information resource maintained by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. Contains information on deadlines and voting requirements and personalized voting information by address, including sample ballots, information about upcoming debates, polling place locations, and other resources.
“See What’s On Your Ballot, Check Your Voter Registration, Find Your Polling Place, Discover Upcoming Debates In Your Area, And Much More!”
Kansas Online Voter Registration
Online voter registration portal maintained by the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office.
“A collaboration between the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office and the Kansas Department of Revenue.”
Kansas Voter Information
Voter information page maintained by the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office. Contains information on photo ID requirements, registration requirements, instructions regarding advance voting and advance voting by mail, and information about voter accessibility.
“In Kansas, the primary election is held on the first Tuesday in August of even numbered years for Democratic and Republican candidates. The general election is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Pursuant to state law, municipal elections are held at the same time in odd numbered years. Please note, most municipal jurisdictions do not have primary elections as the rules for conducting a primary election are different for municipalities. Minor party candidates do not participate in the primary and are, instead, nominated at state party conventions. Independent candidates file by petition.”
VoterView
Online tool for confirming registration and locating polling places.
“Confirm your address, party association, mail-in ballot statuses, and polling place locations.”
Resources For Clinics Conducting Voter Engagement Activities
Below are a number of resources for clinics conducting voter registration activities that can help integrate voter enagagement into the healthcare delivery system, promote voter registration, and toolkits to help promote.
Vo+ER
This resource has information and tools for healthcare organizations that want to integrate voter engagement into the healthcare delivery system. Provides resources such as posters, handouts, and badges that staff can wear with a QR code that links to voter registration and advance ballot information. Includes a page of resources specifically designed for community health centers.
“Healthy communities powered by an inclusive democracy.”
Voter Network Toolkit
The Voter Network’s Toolkit contains a range of 2022 election resources, including printable guides about rules and regulations, how to vote flyers, links to other sites and resources, and information about a peer-to-peer get-out-the-vote tool.
“Whether you need ideas about how to start the conversation, or just want to remind your Instagram followers about the registration deadline, you’ll find what you need below.”
Voter Network QR Code
Social Media QR code for voter registration site of KSVotes.org. The QR code links to a page on The Voter Network’s website that allows visitors to register to vote or apply for an advance ballot.
“Get registered and sign up to vote by mail.”
Information about the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment on the August 2 Primary Election Ballot
The constitutional amendment vote is an opportunity for voters to have their say on how the state addresses an important healthcare-related issue, so clinics may want to encourage their patients to participate. Below are some important guidelines and other information about how to address this issue with staff and patients.
Community Care is not taking a position on this issue.
We are certain that our diverse membership is not unanimous on this issue, so we feel that it is not appropriate for the organization to take a position. However, we agree that this is an important issue on which all eligible Kansans should be encouraged to weigh in by voting.
Clinics may legally take a position (with some important caveats).
Because this ballot issue is nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations are allowed to take a position on the issue. However, any effort to encourage voters to vote one way or another is still considered lobbying, and expenditures of time and money need to be tracked. Clinics should also keep in mind that taking a position on an issue that tends to be strongly partisan may affect the strong bipartisan support that clinics have generally been able to maintain.
Focus on dispelling myths that affect engagement.
The nature of the constitutional amendment process in Kansas creates confusion, and the circumstances of this particular amendment add to the confusion. Because the vote takes place during a primary election, many voters may believe that only those registered as either Republican or Democrat may vote. However, any person registered to vote in the state of Kansas may vote on the constitutional amendment regardless of party affiliation. Consistently sharing that message may be one of the most important voter engagement steps that clinics can take on this issue.