A Healthier Democracy
Leveraging AI to drive civic engagement and economic opportunity
Overview
A Healthier Democracy AI is a transformative collaboration aimed at revolutionizing civic engagement and closing the gap in voter participation and federal program use within the United States’ low-income communities. This initiative is a partnership between A Healthier Democracy (and its two key programs Vot-ER and Link Health) and the Burnes Center for Social Change and its AI for Impact initiative at Northeastern University.
Our Goal?
To engage over 1 million low-income Americans by Election Day 2028, ensuring they have access to vital federal cash assistance programs and encouraging 500,000 infrequent or first time voters to cast their ballot.
The Challenge
Voter Participation Gap
With over 72 million eligible but unregistered voters, many from marginalized communities, there’s a profound disengagement from the democratic process.
Underutilization of Federal Programs
Annually, more than $80 billion in benefits go unclaimed, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities for families across the country.
Our Approach & Impact
We are at the forefront of integrating healthcare and civic engagement, using trusted relationships, combined with AI, to increase access to federal benefits and to the ballot box. This innovative strategy leverages trusted healthcare environments to:
- Streamline Federal Benefits: Partnering with health centers via Link Health for seamless access to underutilized federal benefits.
- Expand Voter Registration: Through Vot-ER, leveraging our pre-existing network of over 700 partnering hospitals and clinical sites.
- Deploy AI for Efficiency: Making enrollment processes more accessible and effective.
Why This Matters
We’re harnessing technology and the trusted relationship between healthcare providers and patients to not only ensure those most in need receive vital federal assistance but then using that as an entry point to tackle the voter participation gap. Northeastern University’s commitment to technological innovation through its AI4Impact Program highlights the potential of cutting-edge solutions in addressing real-world challenges.
Impact Goals (Next 3-5 Years)
1 Million
Engage 1 Million Low-Income Americans: Offering access to federal cash assistance in waiting rooms of partnering healthcare sites.
$100 Million
Enable $100 Million in Federal Assistance: Alleviating financial burdens and improving community well-being.
500,000
Expand the Electorate by Including Traditionally Marginalized Voters: We aim to help 500,000 low-income Americans participate in elections.
700
National Rollout: Extend the AI-assisted benefit enrollment program to 700+ sites across the country.
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Opinion: Registering voters at medical facilities would be a good Rx for democracy
Alister Martin and Vot-ER play a crucial role by coordinating with over 700 health care facilities to promote voter registration, empowering patients and clinicians to…
Oct. 21, 2024 | | USA Today -
Voting is good for your health. These doctors want to help.
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin discusses the significance of Vot-ER in connecting voter registration to healthcare access. Through this initiative, Martin empowers underserved communities,…
Oct. 09, 2024 | | Harvard Public Health -
The growing role of health care settings in voter registration: A research roundup
Alister Martin’s Vot-ER is highlighted for registering 110,000 voters in healthcare settings, emphasizing its impact on civic engagement and health outcomes, especially among marginalized communities…
Oct. 02, 2024 | | The Journalist’s Resource -
As Healthcare And Politics Intersect, Doctors Urge Patients To Vote
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin discusses how voting influences healthcare outcomes. Through A Healthier Democracy, Martin emphasizes the importance of voter registration for fostering…
Oct. 01, 2024 | | Forbes -
More than 400 female healthcare execs sign open letter endorsing Harris citing reproductive health, key policy issues
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin is highlighted for his initiative, Vot-ER, which integrates voter registration into healthcare settings. Dr. Martin emphasizes the correlation between…
Sep. 26, 2024 | | Fierce Healthcare -
Streamlining Public Benefits Access is a Must to Address Poverty
Burnes Center AI for Impact co-ops are highlighted for their work towards accessible healthcare benefits to the public.
Sep. 23, 2024 | | The Health Care Blog -
Hospital Voter Registration Program Highlights Healthcare’s Role in Elections
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin and his project Vot-ER are highlighted for integrating voter registration into hospitals, despite opposition from conservatives concerned about potential…
Sep. 23, 2024 | | The Philadelphia Inquirer -
The growing role of health care settings in voter registration: A research roundup
Senior Fellow Alister Martin writes about the surprising efficiency of Texas’s streamlined federal benefits enrollment system compared to Massachusetts. He urges states to adopt unified…
Sep. 23, 2024 | | The Healthcare Blog -
Voter registration in hospitals is the new frontier in health care
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin discusses how voting influences health outcomes, emphasizing civic engagement’s role in creating healthier communities.
Aug. 20, 2024 | | wbur -
The Prescription for a Healthier Democracy
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin, CEO of Vot-ER, co-authored a Rutgers study showing that voter registration in healthcare settings can significantly increase participation among…
Aug. 06, 2024 | | Rutgers Today -
We Want You, Doctor, to Help Get Out the Vote
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin, CEO of Vot-ER, highlights how healthcare-based voter registration initiatives are transforming voter engagement. A
Jul. 25, 2024 | | MedPage -
Health care-based voter registration, Vot-ER, reaches young, diverse population
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Alister Martin, CEO of Vot-ER, increased diverse, young voter turnout through healthcare settings during the 2020 election.
Jul. 09, 2024 | | Healio -
Transforming Lives: New Federal Benefit Programs within Link Health
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Program Highlights
Vot-ER
A pioneering initiative making voter registration accessible in healthcare settings, targeting communities of color and young voters.
Link Health
Enrolls patients in federal benefits during healthcare visits, ensuring a seamless transition to voter registration and engagement
Be part of the change!
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