CHICAGO, September 30, 2026 – For the past 25 years, nurses have been recognized as the nation's most trusted professionals, and with that trust comes a responsibility to lead. Every day, nurses experience the real-world impact of public policy on patients’ access to care, public health, healthcare delivery, and the viability of the nursing workforce. The decisions made by elected officials shape the health of our communities, making it vital that nurses use their voices to affect care at the local, state, and federal levels.

The Tri-Council for Nursing, an alliance of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing, represents nursing education, practice, leadership, and regulation. Together, these five organizations encourage all nurses to vote in the 2026 midterm elections.

Voting is one of the most important ways nurses can advocate. The Tri-Council urges nurses to carefully evaluate the candidates and ballot measures that will appear on their ballots, including the issues that may affect their communities. Make your plan to vote today.

Follow these three simple steps:

1. Register. Registration requirements vary by state; some states offer online or same-day registration. Ensure your voter registration information is current before Election Day by verifying your status and making any necessary updates through your state's election website or Vote.gov.
    
2. Research. Midterm elections include federal, state and local contests, and ballot measures that may affect your community. Learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot at Ballotpedia.org.
    
3. VOTE. Voting procedures vary by state and territory. Familiarize yourself with the voting options available in your jurisdiction, identify your polling location if voting in person, and decide how and when you will cast your ballot in the 2026 midterm elections.

To learn more about local and state voting rules, polling places, mail-in voting options, or absentee ballots, visit Vote.gov.

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The Tri-Council for Nursing is an alliance between the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing. While each organization has its own constituent membership and unique mission, they are united by common values and convene regularly for the purpose of dialogue and consensus building, to provide stewardship within the profession of nursing.

These organizations represent nurses in practice, nurse executives and nursing educators. The Tri-Council’s diverse interests encompass the nursing work environment, health care legislation, and policy, quality of health care, nursing education, practice, research and leadership across all segments of the health delivery system.

About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is the voice for academic nursing representing more than 890 member schools of nursing at public and private institutions nationwide. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve healthcare; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research and practice. Learn more at aacnnursing.org.

About the American Nurses Association
As the preeminent organization representing more than 5 million nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses® to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience. Learn more at nursingworld.org/ana.

About the American Organization for Nursing Leadership
As the national professional organization of more than 12,500 nurse leaders, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership is the voice of nursing leadership. AONL’s membership encompasses nurse leaders working in hospitals, health systems, academia and other care settings across the care continuum. For more information, visit AONL.org.

About the National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Empowering and supporting nursing regulators across the world in their mandate to protect the public, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing is an independent, not-for-profit organization. As a global leader in regulatory excellence, NCSBN champions regulatory solutions to borderless healthcare delivery, agile regulatory systems and nurses practicing to the full scope of their education, experience and expertise. A world leader in test development and administration, NCSBN’s NCLEX Exams are internationally recognized as preeminent nursing examinations. NCSBN’s membership is comprised of the nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs) in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. There are nine exam user members and 21 associate members that are either NRBs or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories. For more information, visit ncsbn.org.

About the National League for Nursing
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual and 1,000 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and healthcare organizations. Learn more at NLN.org.