Casting your ballot for kidney health this November

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is once again encouraging kidney community members to make their voices heard in this November’s midterm elections by empowering kidney patients and advocates to “know their vote.” Whether you are voting by mail or heading to the polls, the NKF Election Center has you covered.

The Election Center’s interactive map allows kidney advocates across the country to easily locate information about voting in their federal and state elections. The site also features an interactive tool that enables voters to create a personalized experience so they can receive up-to-date information about their state’s candidates, voting requirements, and registration. The center also provides key dates and deadlines for voting early, absentee, or in-person.

Scoring lawmakers on kidney policy

Interested to know how your lawmakers supported the kidney community’s policy priorities during the 117th Congress? NKF’s new legislator scorecard makes finding your lawmakers’ voting records quick and easy. Simply enter your address and see how your federal representatives have supported our kidney health agenda. Legislative transparency shows the community that better kidney health for every American is on the ballot this November.

Lawmakers are scored on whether they’ve officially announced their support for protecting living organ donors for insurance discrimination; increasing access to home dialysis for kidney patients that want to make use of it; and increasing federal funding for programs that promote kidney disease awareness, education, and research; among other bills.

If your lawmaker doesn’t support one or more of these policies, visit our take action page now.

Healthy voting 2022

The safety of our community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is the upmost priority of the NKF. Here are some ways you can stay healthy when casting your ballot.

If you’re voting in person:

• Follow your voting precinct's guidelines to vote safely.
• Physically distance if space permits.
• Cover your face to protect both yourself and others.
• Wash your hands when you get home for 20 seconds. Consider using hand sanitizer before and after you vote.
• Try to visit your early voting center at an off-peak time, such as mid-morning or early-afternoon.

If you’re voting by mail:

• When dropping off your ballot, physically distance from others if space permits.
• Cover your face to protect both yourself and others.
• Wash your hands when you get home for 20 seconds or utilize sanitizer when interacting with public spaces.
• Buy stamps from the online USPS store, usps.com. If buying in-person follow the guidelines above.

However you choose to vote, be sure to make a plan and make your voice heard this Election Day.