Penn Nursing Launches ‘Nurses for the Vote, Chart the Future’ Initiative
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) is excited to announce the launch of “Nurses for the Vote, Chart the Future,” a groundbreaking initiative aimed at increasing voter registration and civic engagement among students and the community. In partnership with the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs (OGCA), Penn Nursing is the first and only school to collaborate with OGCA on a voter registration initiative of this scale.
August 30, 2024
The non-partisan initiative aims to empower nursing students to become leaders in civic engagement by providing them with the tools and training necessary to register voters. Through the use of the Vote-ER platform, students will work to increase voter turnout and foster a deeper sense of community responsibility.
“Voting is a public health priority,” said Penn Nursing Dean Antonia M. Villarruel, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The links between voter participation and health and well-being are strong. Nurses, as the largest group of health care professionals, have a personal responsibility to vote and a professional mandate to work with communities to support voter registration and facilitate access to voting. I am proud of the leadership and efforts of Penn Nursing students to engage in efforts to support voter participation.”
Key components of the initiative include:
- Voter Registration Drives: Students will participate in voter registration drives on campus and within the community, using the Vote-ER platform to simplify the process.
- Civic Engagement Education: Students will receive training on the importance of voting, election processes, and voter rights.
- Community Partnerships: Penn Nursing will collaborate with local organizations to promote voter registration and civic engagement.
A formal launch event is planned for September 18th, where students will receive training on the Vote-ER platform and additional tools and digital assets to engage with the community and help them register. Two other dates that are important to keep in mind are October 21: National Voter Registration Deadline; and November 5: Election Day.
“We are thrilled to partner with Penn Nursing on this important initiative,” said Dawn Maglicco Deitch, Executive Director, University of Pennsylvania Office of Government and Community Affairs. “By working together, we can make a significant impact on voter registration and civic engagement in our community.”
Penn Nursing is committed to fostering a culture of civic engagement among its students and preparing them to be leaders in healthcare and their communities. The “Nurses for the Vote, Chart the Future” initiative is a testament to this commitment.
