October 5, 2026

Doctors for America Calls on Medical Education Leaders to Provide Medical Trainees with Time to Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the upcoming 2026 elections, the health of our patients – among many other issues – is on the ballot. Doctors for America strongly urges medical and healthcare institutions to provide protected time for all medical trainees – including fellows, residents, and medical students – to practice their civic duty and vote in the upcoming elections.

Many research studies have shown that healthcare professionals are significantly less likely to vote compared to the general public and other advanced professionals. One of the main reasons cited most frequently for not being able to vote is due to inflexibility in clinical schedules and responsibilities.

The outcome of these votes will have direct and indirect impact on medical trainees. Whether that is research funding or direct patient care, health is always on the ballot. Therefore, it is crucial for program leaders to provide medical trainees the opportunity to vote in the upcoming elections. Whether that is protected time for trainees to go vote, organizing voter registration drives on campus, or another option, it is imperative for institutions to encourage voting participation because our patients’ lives depend on it. Voter engagement is bipartisan and it is a civic duty all citizens should participate in.

What can you do?

• Faculty and Program Directors: 
  
  • Prepare a plan to allow your residents and students time to vote. This could include covering pages and chats for an hour or letting medical students out early. 
  • Send reminder emails to your residents about mail in ballots and early voting. Check out the Vot-ER sample email for early voting!
• Residents and Students: 
  
  • Ask your program directors and preceptors what your department voting plan is. 
  • If one is not in place, consider drafting a policy about protected voting time
• All: Check out Vot-ER for more resources on voting toolkits, voter registration badges, and more. 

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About Doctors for America:

Doctors for America (DFA) is a national nonprofit that mobilizes over 40,000 physicians and medical trainees to advocate for policies that improve the health of patients and communities. Through advocacy training and action at the state and federal levels, DFA works to expand access to affordable care, strengthen community health and prevention, and advance health justice and equity. We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical, insurance, or for-profit health care entities, ensuring our work remains fiercely independent and patient-centered. DFA puts patients over politics–and over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on X @drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.

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