Older adults may face many  barriers to voting, and are not always included in conversations about voting access. Many senior citizens have difficulties with transportation, physically accessing polling locations, as well as reading and handling voting materials. Under conditions of the pandemic, there are even fewer polling sites and poll workers, and seniors are at an increased risk for contracting COVID-19 . If possible, consider voting by mail if your state allows. Read our guide below to help ensure that aging adults can participate in the voting process.

Tips for helping seniors citizens cast their ballot

1. Contact your local Ombudsman Program* and ask about what procedures they have in place for helping their residents cast their vote.

2. Vote by mail

3. If unable to vote by mail, locate voting centers in advance and check for accessibility and safety measures

4. Review voting materials with seniors in advance

5. Coordinate transportation for seniors to and from the voting center

6. Plan to vote at a time of day when polls aren’t as crowded

7. Turn voting day into a special event

8. Visit Parent Giving for more detailed tips

9. Review policies that affect older adults at RetireGuide.com

   * Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of long-term care facilities who work under the Administration on Aging (AoA)/Administration for Community Living. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program.

create Ombudsman Voting Programs

Visit the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center site to learn how Ombudsman Programs in various states have ensured that their residents have the opportunity to participate in the election process.

Get a mail-in or absentee ballot

Visit Nonprofit VOTE to find out how to apply for an absentee ballot in your state.

Locate Safe voting centers

Visit Vote.org to get updates on voting in your state and voting at the polls during COVID-19.