Senior Voting Guide: Strategies To Help Older Adults Vote In Each State

There's an important election happening this November, deciding the next president of the United States. Every vote matters, especially the vote of seniors.

Voting is a fundamental right, yet some older adults face unique challenges, such as inaccessible or non-handicap-friendly voting facilities. Others may struggle with a lack of reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation. Luckily, several groups and resources are working hard to make voting easier for seniors.  

If you or a senior under your care have concerns about getting to the polls this November, you're in the right place. Today, we'll discuss the various obstacles seniors encounter and explore solutions to make voting more accessible. We'll also include a guide to each state's voting and voter registration requirements. 

How To Register To Vote in Each State in 2024

The first step to voting in the election is to make sure you're registered to vote. Voter registration can be confusing and elusive, especially for older adults who may have moved into a retirement home or a long-term care facility. 

For starters, all U.S. states follow these voter registration rules:

• To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the state you wish to register in, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. 

• Each state allows online, in-person, or mail-in voter registration. 

• To vote, you must be registered to vote in your state of residence and meet any specific state requirements. You can view those specific state requirements on your state's secretary of state page. 

Each state also has specific deadlines and different methods for voter registration. Below, we've created a table that outlines deadlines in each state. Keep in mind that mail deadlines are the date your voter registration is postmarked.

Voter Registration Deadlines In Each State

Keep in mind these are just general requirements; check with your state’s secretary of state page to stay up to date on the latest information. 

How To Vote in Each State in 2024

After registering, you’ll have to decide how you want to vote. You could vote in person on Election Day, or you could utilize either absentee or early voting methods. 

Each state offers slightly different voting options and follows different deadlines. Below, we’ve created a chart to help you determine how you can vote absentee in your state. 

Absentee voting is a great option for seniors who may struggle with accessibility or may be out of their hometown due to a need for long-term care. In the chart below, all deadlines are “received by” dates unless otherwise stated. 

Absentee Voting Deadlines in Each State

It’s also worth noting that many states allow early voting. Early voting gives individuals the opportunity to vote on a date that works better for them, and can help seniors avoid long lines. 

Below, we’ll discuss more challenges that seniors may face with voting and some workarounds for each one. 

What Challenges Do Seniors Face At The Polls?

Seniors face many complex challenges with voting, often stemming from long-term care needs or medical conditions.

For example, some seniors with full-time care needs may find waiting in long voting lines hard. Others may not have the means to travel from their homes to voting facilities. Still, others may not be fully aware of the resources around them to help them cast their vote. 

That's why it's essential to help seniors and their caretakers learn about available resources. Today, we want to focus on the four most prominent voting issues for seniors:  

1. Limited access to vital voting information and educational resources.

2. Obstacles with voter ID or voter registration.

3. Lack of access to reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation. 

4. Challenges with traditional voting methods and limited access to or awareness of alternative voting methods. 

Below, we'll delve into these issues and offer strategies and resources to help you or your older loved one vote stress-free. 

ONE: Technological Challenges: Many Seniors Are Unable To Access Voting Information Online

Traditionally, radio, TV, and newspapers delivered our voting information. These resources are very valuable, but today, a majority of voting information and resources are available online.  

However, many older adults struggle with technological barriers. Some older adults may live in rural areas without consistent internet access. 

Other seniors may have trouble reading small texts on the screen. Some individuals may not feel comfortable using technology, as sifting through several websites for information can be a confusing and time-consuming process. 

Regardless of the issue, the result is the same. Seniors may not have access to all the voting information or resources they need, which can negatively impact voter turnout. 

To help combat these challenges, we've compiled a list of online resources to help you save time searching on the web. These resources can help you or a senior in your care learn about voting, elections, dates, registration, accessibility programs, and more. 

• General voting and elections information  – This resource offers general information about national and local elections. You can explore this page to learn everything from voting registration to candidate information.   

• Learn how and where to register to vote – This resource takes you to an interactive map, where you can click on your state. After selecting your state, you'll reach a page with state-specific information on how and where to vote this year. 

• Election dates and deadlines – This resource can help you determine what the election dates and deadlines are in your state.

• Learn where your local polling station will be – This link will help you find your local voting facility. 

• Consult voter guides – Many organizations like AARP, League of Women Voters, and other political parties or groups offer comprehensive voter guides. Check-in with your organization of choice for an updated voter guide. 

Outside these online resources, you or your senior can call or request information from your local government office. They may be able to provide you with printable pamphlets or other information styles that may be more accessible to older adults. 

TWO: Changing Voter ID and Registration Requirements

Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility of all citizens. However, as we addressed above, voter registration can be challenging, depending on where you live. 

Older adults may face extra obstacles; seniors who have voted consistently throughout their lives may suddenly face new requirements, leading to a need to re-register. This is especially true for older adults who may have moved into a long-term care facility or retirement home. 

Unfortunately, many states enforce strict voter registration laws and deadlines, which may unintentionally prevent seniors from registering until it’s too late. 

Despite these challenges, there are a number of ways for older adults to register to vote without using the internet. Here are a few tips:

• In-person voter registration – Most voter registration offices allow you to register to vote in person. You can find out where your nearest office is and what your state's registration deadlines are with the link above.  

• Mail-in voter registration form – You can use this resource to get a mail-in voter registration form. The link will take you to several printable registration forms; you can choose the one in your preferred language. Then, you'll need to print the form, fill it out, and mail it to your voter registration office. Remember, each state has different mail-in registration deadlines, which we'll cover more below. 

• Register through a third party – There are a number of third-party organizations that can help you register to vote. Some of these organizations include the League of Women Voters, AARP, and the National Disability Rights Network.

• Check-in with your local library or community center – In addition to the above tips, many public facilities offer help registering to vote. For example, some libraries and community centers offer voter registration assistance. Additionally, some states offer mobile voter registration programs.

If you feel comfortable or have reliable internet access, you may find these online resources useful:   

• Determine your voter registration status – One of the sneakiest issues with voting is finding out on election day that you aren't registered to vote. This is a huge issue, as many seniors have been registered to vote for years and may not have been informed about their need to re-register. You can use the online resource above to determine your voter registration status. 

• Register to vote online – If you're more tech-savvy, registering to vote online is a great option. This link will take you to a drop-down list where you can choose your state. From there, you can fill out your information and register to vote online. 

Once you're registered and up to date, the next issue is voter ID. Each state has different voter ID requirements. You can use this interactive map to find out what voter ID laws look like in your state. 

For older adults who may have lost their documents, many senior centers and local organizations offer help finding or tracking important legal documents. Some of these outreach programs are free or low-cost. 

THREE: A Lack of Reliable, Affordable, and Accessible Transportation

Another critical hurdle in the way seniors vote is transportation. Limited mobility, difficulty driving, or lack of access to reliable transportation can all prevent older adults from voting. 

Fixing the transportation issue can free seniors of many stresses around voting. Below, we’ve collected a list of online resources and practical solutions to transportation on election day. 

• Check-in with your local senior center or community – Many senior centers offer free or affordable transportation services for seniors. They may be able to arrange a transit service to help you get to and from voting facilities directly from your house.  

• Contact your long-term care facility – If you or your loved one live in a long-term care facility, you may be able to utilize them as a resource. Many facilities offer group transportation services to events or outings, which can include voting. 

• Look out for ride-sharing or taxi service deals – Popular ride-sharing platforms like Lyft have offered free rides for seniors to and from the polls. While Lyft was the pioneer, other taxi and ride-share services may have also caught on. 

FOUR: Inaccessible Voting Facilities

Seniors often face accessibility issues at the polls. Limited mobility, hearing or vision impairments, and other disabilities can make voting harder. 

For example, some seniors may be able to get transport to voting stations but may encounter wheelchair obstacles upon arrival. Some may struggle to wait in long lines due to health concerns. 

Others may need extra help during the voting portion itself. For instance, seniors with impaired vision may need someone to help them read or fill out a ballot.  

Fortunately, there are a range of solutions to address these issues. Below, we've collected strategies and resources to enhance seniors' voting experiences.  

There are two approaches that you can take; you can either add accommodations or introduce alternative ways to vote. In this section, we'll tackle both strategies, as some work better for people with differing needs. 

First, we'll start with accommodations at the polls.

• Accessible voting stations – In accordance with the law, voting stations must provide accessible voting machines and materials to anyone in need. These features can include touch screens, auditory instructions, ballots with larger text, or ballots in another language to accommodate individuals with different needs. 

• Bring a trusted helper – According to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, “no person shall, because of a disability, be denied the right to vote." This means older or disabled individuals have a right to request or bring a helper to assist them with voting. Helpers can assist the voter with understanding the ballot, marking the ballot, operating the voting machine, or accompanying the voter at the polling facility. 

Seniors who need help should talk to their caregiver for assistance. To make the process easier, talk to your caregiver about what you need help with and practice before arriving at the polls. 

Make sure your caregiver/helper knows where the polling station is and that you both arrive early to avoid long lines or wait times. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the process, a poll worker can assist you. 

If you aren’t comfortable with accommodations or don’t feel as though accommodations would be best for your situation, then you can also vote in a number of alternative ways. 

• Early in-person voting – Most states allow older adults to vote in person before the official election day. Early voting helps seniors vote by reducing wait times and stress about deadlines. Seniors can vote at their own pace and on a day that may work better than the officially scheduled time. You can click the link above to find out what early in-person voting looks like in your state. 

• Mobile voting – Mobile voting is when a polling official brings ballots directly to long-term care facilities. This guarantees everyone at the facility the right to vote and reduces stress around transportation and wait times.  

• Curbside voting – Even if transportation is available, some seniors may still struggle with wait times or accessibility within the voting building. Curbside voting offers a solution to those struggles. Curbside voting is when voting officials bring ballots to your car or the curb. Seniors can fill out the ballot without worrying about entering the building. 

• Absentee or mail-in ballots – Sometimes, voting in person isn't an option. Mail-in ballots can help older or disabled individuals vote from afar without stressing about transportation or wait times. This is an excellent alternative for individuals with conditions that prevent them from voting in person. 

Laws In Place To Protect Seniors

Representation matters regardless of age. As of 2020, about 16.8% of the population was 65 or older. That's a huge number of people who may struggle with voting yearly. 

Everyone has the right to vote, regardless of one's condition or age. Seniors should enjoy the same freedoms as their younger counterparts, even in the face of unique obstacles. 

Here are a few resources to help you or your loved one learn about voting rights: 

• Know your rights – The U.S. has passed many voting acts to help older adults and disabled individuals vote. You can view this website to learn about your rights as a voter. 

• Learn about voting rights for those with cognitive impairment – The American Bar Association has several articles and resources to help you learn more about voting with cognitive disabilities.  

Key Takeaways and Resources For Older Adults

• Stay educated about voting in your area. Who’s up for election in your state this November?

• Keep in mind that voter ID and registration laws can change. Are you registered to vote, and are your documents up to date?

• Each state has different voter registration deadlines and voting strategies. Are you aware of the requirements in your state?

• Many areas provide free transportation services. Have you checked in with your local senior service centers about transportation services?

• Voting is required to be accessible for older and disabled individuals. You can check in with your local officials to find out about accommodations at the polls or alternative ways to vote. 

LTC NEWS is here to help you learn more about long-term care. If you’re worried about voting in your area or your own long-term care needs, you may want to use LTC News’s long-term care directory to find facilities and services near you. 

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In addition to the resources on LTC NEWS, many other organizations work hard to help seniors vote. Here’s a list of other resources you may want to check out:

• AARP – The AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping adults 50 years and older. They offer a number of resources to help older adults register to vote and vote.

• League of Women Voters – The LWV is a women-led grassroots movement advocating for the right to vote nationwide. They have many resources catered towards helping older individuals register and vote. 

• National Disability Rights Network – The NDRN advocates for disabled individuals and offers several resources to help older adults with disabilities register to vote and vote.