Stay Informed

There is a deep connection between civic engagement and public health. Voting plays a critical role in shaping policies that affect health equity, gun violence, climate change and more. In June 2022, the American Medical Association (AMA) officially declared voting a social determinant of health (SDOH), underscoring that civic participation significantly impacts well-being and health equity. Key components of the AMA declaration that align with public health principles include:

• Acknowledgment of voting as an SDOH: Voting contributes to the analysis of other SDOH and serves as a critical metric for understanding health disparities.
• Mitigation of disease transmission: Support for measures that facilitate safe and equitable access to voting as a harm-reduction strategy, particularly in the context of infectious disease.
• Opposition to voter suppression: Requirements for voters to provide a reason for receiving a mail-in ballot are a restriction on voting access.
• Recognition of gerrymandering's impact: Gerrymandering disenfranchises communities, limits access to health care and worsens health outcomes. 

The American Public Health Association (APHA) also stands firm on the importance of voting to ensure healthier communities. Research finds States that make elections more accessible through policies such as automatic and same-day registration, flexible voter ID requirements, felon re-enfranchisement, and mail voting options enjoy higher levels of voter participation and stronger public health outcomes. APHA’s Vote for Health campaign seeks to simplify the voting process for the public and shine a light on the impact voting has on our health.

New Barriers to Voter Registration

There’s a new effort underway to attack the freedom to vote. A federal agency called the Election Assistance Commission is considering requiring Americans to show a passport or other proof of citizenship when registering to vote using the federal voter registration form.

Earlier this year, the SAVE Act, an anti-voter bill that included a similar requirement, failed in Congress thanks to widespread public opposition. The courts blocked a similar order by the president. But now organizations such as the America First Legal Foundation are trying to implement the SAVE Act policies outside of the legislative process and through administrative requirements proposed through the Election Assistance Commission.

On July 16, 2025, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC or Commission) received a petition for rulemaking submitted by America First Legal Foundation asking the Commission to amend EAC Regulations and the National Mail Voter Registration Form to require documentary proof of United States citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. 

Your voice is needed to ensure continued voter access

The Election Assistance Commission is accepting public comments on this issue now, and may of the comments already submitted have included anti-voter messages and misinformation. 

ACTION: Rulemaking Petition: Notification of Availability.

https://www.regulations.gov/document/EAC-2025-0236-0001

All healthcare professionals need to speak out against this attack on the freedom to vote.  This “show-your-papers” policy could block millions of American citizens from voting. 

Only half of American adults have a passport. Requirements for documents like a passport or birth certificate could especially burden married women who have changed their names, voters of color, and younger voters.

Policies like this restrict the freedom to vote and have already been implemented in states like Kansas, where tens of thousands of eligible American citizens were blocked from registering to vote. Implementing this policy across the country would be devastating for US democracy.

Speaking out against this harmful policy is easy:

• Go to the petition and click “Comment.”

Share why you oppose this requirement. Here’s a suggested comment to get you started:

EAC-2025-0236-0001

The proposed requirement to “show-your-papers” when registering to vote is a barrier to allowing our citizens to vote in elections.  Congress tried to pass the SAVE Act, and it was soundly rejected. Half of all Americans don’t have a passport, and if this change in voting requirements is made, eligible citizens like me will have a hard time registering to vote. Millions of eligible Americans will be unable to vote in elections. Do not implement this requirement.

You may choose whether to share your name and information or submit your comment anonymously.

The public comment period ends on October 20. 

Please submit a comment today.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Conny Moody, IPHA Governmental Affairs & Compliance, at cmoody@ipha.com or email advocacy@ipha.com.