In an inspiring display of dedication, two maternity nurses at a Manhattan hospital took extraordinary steps to ensure that laboring women could participate in the electoral process. As the 2018 midterm elections concluded with a remarkable voter turnout, these nurses stepped up to make sure that those in their care had the opportunity to cast their ballots.
With an estimated 113 million Americans voting and 49 percent of eligible voters participating, many faced unexpected circumstances that took them to the hospital. For women in labor and others with urgent health needs, the ability to vote could easily have been lost. However, at Lenox Hill Hospital, nurses Emma Johnson and Sarah Turner created a unique initiative to help these patients vote, even while dealing with medical challenges.
According to reports, Johnson, an assistant nurse manager, and Turner, an obstetrics nurse navigator, launched a pilot program that facilitated voting for patients. This innovative system relied on the support of volunteers, many of whom were off-duty nurses, who would manage the logistics of absentee voting. They would deliver the absentee applications to the appropriate Board of Elections office, bring blank ballots to the hospital, and ensure that completed ballots were returned correctly.
This initiative proved invaluable for women in labor and other unanticipated patients, allowing them to exercise their right to vote during a stressful time. “Many patients find themselves in the hospital unexpectedly,” Johnson remarked, underscoring their motivation to help.
Neither nurse aligned with a specific political agenda; their focus was solely on empowering individuals to have their voices heard. Turner shared, “People feel strongly about their choices, and we just want to support that.”
The idea first emerged for Johnson during the 2016 general election, when Turner assisted a patient in voting. Although the hospital provided absentee ballots, patients faced challenges in applying for them and submitting their votes. After researching other hospital voting programs across the country with no viable solutions, they decided to create their own approach.
One couple, the Parkers, shared their concerns about missing the opportunity to vote while they prepared for a last-minute induction. Thanks to the nurses’ efforts, they could complete their ballots between contractions, expressing gratitude for the assistance. “They’re doing a public good,” Mr. Parker noted.
Looking ahead, Johnson and Turner aim to ensure every patient at Lenox Hill Hospital can vote in future elections. Their hope is for their program to expand further, making a lasting impact on voter accessibility.
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In summary, these two maternity nurses exemplify the spirit of civic engagement by ensuring that every laboring mother has the chance to vote, reinforcing the importance of every voice in the democratic process.