How to Vote While Living in a Nursing Home

Voting is an important facet of democracy, but for many seniors, it can become increasingly difficult to get to the polls. For seniors who live in nursing homes, it can be even more challenging.

While it is necessary in Florida to physically cast a ballot, Florida allows absentee voting. The requirements for absentee voting vary by state, and some states require an excuse such as a physical disability to vote absentee. However, Florida and 36 other states do not require an excuse. A form of absentee voting used by 23 states, including Florida, is mobile polling. Mobile polling allows residents to vote from within their facility. To access mobile polling, contact your local elections office. Florida also offers supervised voting for absent electors. The supervisor of elections, pursuant to 101.65, F.S., is required to provide supervised voting at nursing homes if requested by the facility. Teams of at least two people, representing at least two parties, are provided for assistance. The senior can receive help from the supervised voting team or a person of the elector’s choice to cast the ballot.

Florida and 36 other states also allow early voting for those who can’t make it on Election Day. Early voting allows voters to visit an election office early without having to provide an excuse. In Florida, you can also receive personal help during early voting without having to explain the extent of your disability.