How Americans can protect kids’ health and their environments in the 2026 elections
All children deserve clean air and water, safe food, toys and products, stable climates, and healthy environments in which to live, learn, play, and work.
There is an intensifying federal spotlight on children’s chronic illnesses, including the contributing role of environmental hazards. We must meet this increased attention with evidence-based solutions.
The 2026 elections offer an opportunity to reset our national, state, and local priorities in support of science, public health, and a robust federal workforce to protect children’s environmental health.
Children cannot vote, but YOU can.
We need political leaders at all levels of government who put the health of children, their future, and their families FIRST.
When children thrive, we all thrive.
Before You Begin: Get Ready to Vote
Confirm your voting eligibility, register to vote, check your voting deadlines and requirements, and make a plan to vote for kids.
A rubric you can use to assess local, state, and federal candidates to make sure they’re keeping children at the center of their decisions.
Use the Companion Toolkit to put the voter guide into action with practical, step-by-step guidance to help you evaluate candidates’ records, policy positions, and commitments.
Join Children’s Environmental Health Network and partners to find out how you can protect kids’ health and their environments in the 2026 elections. Parents, caregivers, advocates, community members, health care providers, and public and environmental health professionals are invited to this engaging, nonpartisan discussion on identifying and electing political leaders at all levels of government who put the health of children, their future, and their families first.
Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, MPH– Executive Director, Children’s Environmental Health Network Anne Mellinger-Birdsong, MD, MPH, FAAP– Health Advisor, Mothers and Others for Clean Air Mike Schade– Senior Director of Programs and Strategy, Toxic-Free Future Abre’ Conner, Esq.– Director, Environmental and Climate Justice, NAACP
Moderator: Garrett Smith– University of Miami School of Law student and CEHN Carol Strobel Policy & Health Education Intern
Learn More About Voting for Kids
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