Election season will be here before we know it! While there is always plenty of discussion surrounding elections, there is one important issue senior living communities should not overlook: the resident’s right to vote. Residents do not give up their rights as citizens simply because they live in a nursing home.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reinforced this responsibility in its guidance on residents’ right to vote. CMS reminds nursing homes that residents must be able to exercise their right to vote without interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal. Communities should have a plan to help residents exercise this right, whether they vote in person, by mail, through an absentee ballot, or through another process authorized in their state.

Sounds simple, right? Maybe, maybe not. Voting laws and procedures vary by state. Residents may need help registering, requesting an absentee ballot, understanding deadlines, or getting to a polling location. The National Association of Secretaries of State provides state-specific information about absentee and early voting. Residents and their representatives can also visit Vote.gov for additional voting information and resources.

CMS also reminds nursing homes that residents who cannot vote in person have the right to receive and send ballots through the U.S. Postal Service or another authorized method. This includes promptly receiving unopened mail and having outgoing mail sent within required timeframes. Privacy matters too. Supporting the resident’s right to vote does not mean influencing how that resident votes.

So, are we prepared? Consider adding voting rights to your next QAPI or resident rights discussion. Review your process before Election Day. Do residents know their options? Are staff prepared to respond when a resident asks for assistance? Do you have a plan for absentee ballots, mail, transportation, and privacy? A little preparation now may help residents exercise one of their most fundamental rights when Election Day arrives.

Your residents are depending on you.

Stay well and stay informed!