Public Health Voter and Action

Empower individuals to advocate for public health policies, stay informed on key issues, and engage in civic action.
Voting is a powerful way to influence public policies and the health of your community. Understanding the candidates and other ballot measures is important for an informed vote.

1: Register to vote

Check Registration Status

Check if you are currently registered here

Pre-register to vote Recommended

Same Day Registration

Register to vote in-person, at your polling place, on election day with proof of ID and residence

2: Decide voting method

Vote in Person

Find your polling place and vote in person on election day, bring a valid ID.

Request Absentee Ballot

Allows you to research candidates closely while voting. Learn more here.

Vote Absentee in Person

Before election day you can visit your local auditor’s office and fill out the ballot there.

3: Learn how to vote for public health

Learn about the candidates’ and Iowa Ballot Measures’ role in preserving public health.

Resources to Consider

4: Vote!

Voting at polls:

  • Election Day is Nov. 5th 2024 from 7am to 8pm
  • Make transportation plans
  • Bring required documents
  • Check on friends and family that may need help getting to polls

Voting absentee

Identify Key Public Health Issues

Start by thinking about the public health issues that are important to you, like healthcare access, mental health services, or environmental health. Here are a few topics to consider:

How does the candidate plan to…

  • Address health disparities in underserved communities?
  • Fund public health initiatives, such as prevention, education, and research?
  • Support preparedness for future pandemics or public health emergencies?
  • Improve access to healthy food in low-income or rural areas?
  • Reduce environmental health risks, such as air and water pollution?
  • Address rising housing costs and improve housing insecurity and homelessness?
  • Address barriers to healthcare access, such as cost, transportation and provider shortages?
  • Improve maternal mortality and infant health disparities?
  • Improve vaccination rates and combat misinformation?
  • Reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer?
  • Reduce gun violence and other forms of violence?

Identify Candidates Running in Your District

If you want to vote at the polls, filling out a sample ballot can help you prepare for voting day. You can get a sample ballot from your county auditor’s office; Ballotpedia also has sample ballots, but they might not include all candidates. A simpler option is voting absentee, which saves you time on poll day and lets you research candidates as you fill out the ballot.

Research the Candidates

Platforms

  • A candidate’s platform shows their goals and promises if they are elected. This can tell you about how they might handle public health issues.
  • Some candidates have campaign websites, visit these and look at what they promise about public health and how they plan to deliver on that promise.
  • Watch or read transcripts of interviews, debates, or town hall meetings where candidates discuss their positions on health-related issues.
  • Search for public statements or press releases where candidates discuss public health. This can include speeches, op-eds, or social media posts.
  • Look at who is donating to the candidate’s campaign. Donations from healthcare companies, pharmaceutical firms, or other industries can show possible influences.

Voting Records

  • If a candidate is currently in or has been in office before, looking at how they voted on different issues can help you understand their views on public health.
  • Use USA.gov to find current elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels. If city officials are not listed, check your city’s website.
  • Use GovTrack to check how federal officials voted on health issues, committee roles, earmarks, misconducts, and political ideology charts. You can sort by issue area, such as “health”, and see the percentage of their sponsored bills on that.
  • VoteSmart provides information about federal and state officials. It includes their biographies, voting records, issue positions, interest group ratings, speeches, and campaign funding.
  • Visit the Iowa Legislative System to review what bills each legislator has introduced. Choose LEGISLATORS on the top tab, choose either Senators or Representatives, find the legislator you are interested in and click their name. There you will see their committee appointments and contact information. On the right side, under the heading Legislation, you can see what bills and/or amendments they’ve sponsored.
  • Check county auditor or city clerk websites to find voting records for local officials. Local news or voter guides could also provide information.

Candidate Forums and Town Halls

Candidate forums and town halls offer direct access to the candidates.

  • Prepare questions on public health issues important to you. This is an opportunity to get direct answers from the candidates about how they plan to address these issues.
  • Pay attention to how candidates respond to public health-related questions. Do they provide specific plans, or do they speak in general terms? Do they demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues?

Government Roles & Health

Executive Branch

  • The President and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversee the implementation and enforcement of health laws. Agencies under HHS, like the CDC, NIH, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), play critical roles in public health, research, and regulation.
  • Governors sign public policy – including health legislation – into law, propose the state budget (including health funding), and oversee state health agencies. They oversee state health departments that implement state health policies, manage public health emergencies, oversee Medicaid and other state health programs, and enforce health regulations.
  • The Lieutenant Governor supports the governor and may take on health-related initiatives.
  • The Attorney General enforces state health laws and consumer protection related to health services.
  • The Secretary of State oversees elections, which can include health policy referendums.
  • The State Auditor audits state health programs to ensure efficient use of funds.
  • The Treasurer of State manages state funds, including those for health programs.
  • The Secretary of Agriculture influences policies affecting food safety and public health related to agriculture.
  • The County Board of Health is responsible for enforcing state health laws and regulations at the county level. They develop policies related to public health, manage county health departments, and oversee public health initiatives. Chosen by the County Board of Supervisors and includes health experts and community members.
  • The Sheriff’s Office works with public health officials to handle public safety issues that have health implications, such as substance abuse, mental health crises, and emergency response.
  • County Auditors, Treasurers, and Recorders handle administrative functions that can impact local health initiatives.

Legislative Branch

  • U.S. Representatives and Senators work on national health policies, like nationwide funding and regulations.
  • State Representatives and Senators focus on state-specific polices, like state budgets and laws that impact public health services and the healthcare system within Iowa.
  • Health and Human Services Committees in both the Senate and House are particularly influential in health policy.
  • The Board of Supervisors makes rules and decides how money is spent on public health. They can say yes or no to ideas from the County Board of Health.
  • City Councils are elected officials who manage city health services, sanitation, and public health regulations. They work with local health departments to address community health needs.