Dana-Farber recently launched our Civic Health Champions Initiative. This new initiative was created in support of our community-based mission and in acknowledgement of the critical importance of the relationship between health care, healthy communities, and civic participation. 

Better health for all begins when every citizen has a voice in public policy decisions that affect their wellbeing. That is why the Dana-Farber Civic Health Champions Initiative is proud to partner with VotER, a national nonpartisan, nonprofit, created by Dr. Allister Martin, an emergency room attending physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. In partnering with VotER, Dana-Farber joins the growing list of national partners which includes local names like Massachusetts General Hospital, and Commonwealth Care Alliance, and national groups such as the American Public Health Association, American Telemedicine Association, and the American Nurses Association.

The Civic Health Champions Initiative aims to train Dana-Farber staff and volunteers who wish to learn how to integrate nonpartisan voter registration and education into existing research and administrative workflows and our health care delivery system. In addition, the initiative aims to provide our patients, caregivers, visitors and staff with important information and updates, such as the civic health checkup below. 

Civic Health Check Up

Massachusetts Statewide Primary Election - Tuesday September 6, 2022

• Deadline to register to vote or update registration: Saturday, August 27, 2022
• Vote by Mail Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 30, 2022
• Election Day Polling Hours: Tuesday September 6, 2022, 7am - 8pm
• On Ballot: Representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Governor's Council, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Sheriff, County Commissioner (only in certain counties)

Massachusetts Statewide General Election -  Tuesday November 8, 2022

• Deadline to register to vote or update registration: Wednesday, October 19, 2022
• Vote by Mail Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 2, 2022
• Election day Polling Hours: Tuesday November 8, 2022, 7 am - 8 pm
• On Ballot: Representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Governor's Council, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Sheriff, County Commissioner (only in certain counties), statewide ballot questions (ballots in some communities may have additional local offices and questions)
• Save the date for Advocacy Rounds: Know Before You Go on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 2pm to get more information about ballot questions and everything you need to know ahead of the general election

Massachusetts Vote By Mail

• All registered voters in MA should have received applications for mail-in ballots at their permanent addresses by the end of July
• To opt-in to mail-in voting, fill out the application and put it in the mail - pre-paid postage is included
• Completed ballots can be put back in the mail - pre-paid postage is also included - or hand-deliver it to your local election's office/drop box
• Track mailed ballot here
• Print the mail-in ballot application here
• A list of ballot drop boxes across Massachusetts here

Massachusetts Early Voting

• Massachusetts now has early voting for all state primaries and elections
• Early voting is a way for you to vote before Election Day, at your own convenience
• 2022 Early Voting Periods
• Statewide Primary: August 27 - September 2
• Statewide General Election: October 22 - November 4
• Each city and town chooses their own early voting locations and sets their own schedules. All communities are also required to offer weekend early voting hours
• A listing of early voting schedules and locations for city and town will be posted on this website no later than 5 days before early voting begins
• For more information: www.wheredoivotema.com

Massachusetts Voters Bill of Rights

• These rights are guaranteed to registered voters in Massachusetts
• If you feel that your right to vote has been violated in any way, call the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Elections Division at 1-800-462-VOTE (8683)

Resources for All Voters

• Text: VOTE DFCI to 34444
• Scan any of the QR codes in this email with your smart phone camera

Dana-Farber Staff Time Off to Vote Policy

• Per the Dana-Farber policy, staff members are granted leave, with pay, up to a maximum of two hours for voting in a statewide primary or general election
• Staff members must notify their supervisor of a time off request for the purpose of voting at least one week before an election

For questions about any of this information or if you or your team at Dana-Farber are interested in being trained as Civic Health Champions, please mail advocacy@dfci.harvard.edu.