University Hospital Brings Voter Registration to Emergency Room Waiting Area

On Aug 21, 2020

Newark’s University Hospital announced that it is unveiling a new voter registration kiosk in its Emergency Department waiting area in partnership with the VotER initiative (@Vot_ER_org).  University Hospital is the first hospital in New Jersey to participate in VotER.

VotER is a nonpartisan organization focused on “healthy democracy,” seeking to empower patients with the opportunity to register to vote.  Founded by clinicians and launched at University Hospital at the impetus of New Jersey Medical School Resident, Dr. Robert Adrian, this initiative is foundational to America’s healthcare system because our healthcare experiences are determined by the policies implemented by elected officials.  VotER’s vision is to create a future where those most left behind by the healthcare system are empowered to fix it by inviting their voices into the democratic process.

University Hospital’s voter registration kiosk will offer patients and visitors the opportunity to register to vote in New Jersey using an electronic portal that walks patients through the voter registration process and prints out their registration application.  The Hospital recognizes that a key element of public health is civic health and engagement.

The deadline to register to vote in New Jersey for the upcoming general election is October 13th.  Additional election and voter information, and a voter registration status check can be found at the New Jersey Division of Election’s website at nj.gov/state/elections/, or from local county boards of election.

“I applaud University Hospital for being the first in New Jersey to join this creative initiative and welcome its partnership with our state’s Division of Elections. This new kiosk will make a difference in patients’ lives by making voter registration more accessible” stated New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way.

“We are really excited to bring this opportunity to our patients,” said Dr. Robert Adrian, a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School resident at University Hospital, and the driving force behind bringing VotER to the hospital. “We hope VotER will propagate a virtuous cycle, improving civic health and health efficiency in our community.  Empowered voices lead to a healthful democracy.”

“University Hospital is not just an excellent care provider for our patients—we are also a civic partner with our community. We want to empower the people we serve in every way possible, and helping our patients and families exercise their right to vote ensures their voices are heard in health care policy that will impact them,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, president & CEO of University Hospital.

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