On Election Day, the old saying couldn’t be more apt: “Decisions are made by those who show up.” With healthcare reform and other nursing-related issues so prominent this campaign season, it’s more important than ever that RNs across the country show up on November 6 to ensure their voices are heard and their ballots are counted.

The fact that one in every 45 registered voters is a nurse underscores the impact of our collective voice. During the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Year of Advocacy, we are working to make it as easy as possible for busy RNs to get out and vote this fall to guarantee that elected officials understand that impact firsthand.

At the center of ANA’s 2018 Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts is our new Civic Action Center, hosted on RNAction.org. There you can find everything you need to have your vote count on Election Day, as well as how to update your information if your voter registration has lapsed.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Our Action Center can help, as well as provide information on how to get registered (either again, or for the first time), find where your polling place is located, or vote early to accommodate your schedule on November 6. After you enter some basic information, the Action Center will do the rest to equip you to fulfill your civic duty in this dynamic campaign season.

When nurses vote, lawmakers in Washington, DC, and in statehouses across the country listen. Visit ANA’s Civic Action Center for resources to make this the most meaningful election for nurses yet.

Matthew Fitting is an advocacy and engagement specialist at ANA.