Protecting Cognitively Impaired and Disabled Wisconsin Residents During Elections
Federal and Wisconsin laws that address voting sometimes change, so it is important that facility staff receive legal guidance prior to every election. Facility staff and leadership who are not trained to uphold election laws can make mistakes that could result in criminal prosecutions. Such was the case when a Michigan nursing home employee was sentenced to 45 days in jail and probation for forging signatures on absentee ballot applications in 2022.
Residents who are cognitively impaired:
Some of your residents may be considered “non compos mentis” — a term that means they are “not of sound mind.” Whether those residents have […]
Protecting Your Wisconsin Long Term Care Community During Elections — Part 2
Once residential directors have identified any facility vulnerabilities, it is important to implement policies and procedures to protect the residents, staff, and facility. It is crucial to educate staff on state and federal voting laws, as well as criminal penalties for vote fraud. Directors can be held responsible for staff failure to comply with the law.
Protecting Your Wisconsin Long Term Care Community During Elections — Part 1
It is important for residential communities to perform a self-assessment to protect the voting rights of residents and protect the staff and facility from legal issues and bad publicity. Asking the following questions may be helpful in identifying any vulnerabilities.
Wisconsin Vulnerable Voters
A resident has the right to participate as much or as little as they want to in the election process, and they should be protected from those who may wish to suppress their free choices.