HUNTINGTON PARK, Calif. — October 19 is the voter registration deadline in California.

A network of community health centers serving patients in Los Angeles and Orange counties has stepped into politics, but in a non-partisan way.  

When patients come in for an appointment, they also will see and hear all things election.

Grace Granado recently visited AltaMed in Huntington Park for a routine check-up. She said something not so routine about her appointment was seeing pamphlets about the election at the check-in desk.

“I don’t think I ever expected my health care center to have messages about voting,” Granado said.

The 2016 election was the first one Granado was eligible to vote in, but she said back then she was not able to register before the deadline. Granado not only saw election pamphlets at check in, she also received a voicemail reminder about her appointment that also included a reminder about the election.

“It was a reminder. It was like, ‘Oh shoot! I did miss the first one.’ I want to make sure to register for this one,” she said.

There were reminders about the election even beyond the lobby area of the clinic. There were posters about voting on the exam room door and her doctor even wore a facemask that read, “Vote.”

Dr. Ilan Shapiro also had a “vote” pin on his white coat lapel. He said the pin, mask, and all the election materials are part of the My Vote. My Health, or “Mi Voto. Mi Salud” campaign. The campaign uses a five-touch model that starts from a phone call message to exam room posters all about the election and voting.

“I talk about smoking, a lot of things that are close and private to anybody. Talking about voting is something that actually can make a difference for the next couple of days, and for decades to come,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro said he can be a trusted source of non-partisan information, including options for voting. According to Shapiro, his hospital serves underrepresented and largely Latino communities.

According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos make up 30.5 percent (or 7.9 million) of eligible voters in California.

Despite the number of eligible Latino voters, the community Shapiro serves tends to be low-propensity voters, or those who did not vote in at last three of the last four elections.  

“They [patients] are essential workers. They actually need to work. They cannot actually skip a day and do their voting part. That’s why it’s so important that they understand that there are options that can be done beforehand,” Shapiro said.

AltaMed has collaborated with the Los Angeles and Orange County registrars to offer flex voting at its health centers for patients. An official ballot drop box has been installed at AltaMed’s Santa Ana location, at 1400 N. Main Street. 

“I think it will at least help give the people information on where to vote. Half the battle is knowing where to go,” said Granado about having the civic engagement program at healthcare center.

The clinic not only provided information on voter registration, but it also provided Grandao with the form to register.

“[It’s] like getting the flu shot. I am already here. I might as well,” she said.   

Granado said speaking to a doctor about questions she had regarding voting was helpful.

“So now that I’m more informed, especially, it’s a little less overwhelming. It makes me want my voice be heard this time around – definitely. This time I’m going to make it,” she said.

AltaMed stated it has been doing the civic engagement program for several years now.

According to a researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, campaigns like My Vote. My Health at community health centers have helped achieve a 12.75 percent increase in voter turnout among low propensity voters during the primary election in March.

AltaMed relies on federal funding to serve its patients, but no federal funds were used for the My Vote. My Health program. The civic engagement program was funded through the California endowment.