Voting Rights
by The Native American Rights Fund
From Justice in Aging:
Older adults and people with disabilities may face unique barriers to voting in this and any other election. They deserve to have their voices heard and to be able to exercise this important right.
The barriers older adults may face can be physical, such as the need for transportation or accessible polling locations, but systemic barriers also exist. Older adults from marginalized communities may be disproportionately impacted by voter ID laws and unnecessary limitations on voting rights for people under guardianship.
Recent natural disasters and storms in many parts of the country may add another layer of complication for voting in impacted regions, as people may be displaced or missing IDs and other documents. For older adults and their families navigating natural disasters, this Guide to Voting After a Disaster provides specific resources on early voting, absentee ballots, voter ID requirements, and more.
Resources
A number of organizations and agencies have resources available to ensure older adults know their rights, how to register, and where to go if they need accommodations or help getting to the polls. Advocates can play an important role in sharing information about voting with the older adults they serve in their communities.
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: Residents’ voting rights and Consumer Voice’s Long-Term Care Residents’ Voter Guide
National Disability Rights Network: Protection & Advocacy Systems for Voting and other Help by State
ACL’s Eldercare Locator can connect older adults with local assistance for accessing voting resources.
ACL’s Disability Information & Access Line can connect individuals with disabilities with local assistance for accessing voting resources.
ACL’s Voting Resources Page has these and many state-specific resources available to make it easier for older adults and people with disabilities to vote.
The national, nonpartisan Election Protection program is available to all voters who need information or assistance at all stages of voting, and have helplines in multiple languages to assist voters who encounter problems.