Voting is an important event, privilege, and non-negotiable for most older Americans. Never in our young history has there been a worldwide event that threatens our ability to cast our ballot, however that is precisely what Covid 19 has done.
For older American’s and people with compromised immune systems, voting can be challenging, and dangerous to their health. People who live in a senior living facility such as an assisted living community, residential care home or nursing home, may also be under certain constraints that do not allow them to leave the facility.
In Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties, there is still strict protocol in place regarding leaving the facility for non-medical reasons, making casting a ballot extremely difficult.
I reached out to some of the assisted living communities that we work with in Plano, and surrounding areas to see how they are helping ensure their residents can vote.
For resident’s who are not comfortable casing a ballot in person, the staff helped them apply for a “vote-by-mail,” application. Once the application is accepted a staff member is available to assist them in various ways from reading the ballot, to signing as their witness if they are physically unable.
Although outings to the grocery store, pharmacy or shopping mall have been sequestered, the communities van is making regular trips to the polling center with resident’s eager to cast their ballot. Trips are made typically between mealtimes which tends to be less crowed as well. If there is a will there is a way for the older American’s regardless of where they currently call home!
