Another Kind of Voter Fraud

Another Kind of Voter Fraud

by Marilyn Mackenzie

Yesterday, there was a man interviewed on the news whose elderly mother had been registered to vote by a group that came by the nursing home to make sure all the residents were registered.  Then that same group sent individuals to help the elderly vote early by absentee ballots.  That sounds okay, doesn't it? The only problem is that this man's elderly mother was not fit to vote.  She cannot care for herself.  Her short term memory is so bad that she cannot remember much that happened over 10-15 minutes ago.  She's also having trouble with her long term memory now.

When this man questioned his mother about her vote, she did not know who the candidates were or which one actually got her vote.  But she was proud to have voted, and probably a bit angry with her son for not helping her vote.

The news reporter said that as long as any person in a nursing home, assisted living center, or rehab center of any kind, has not been officially declared incompetent, then he/she can vote. 

Many people don't have their loved ones declared incompetent because it does require a court procedure and it requires renewal every year or two, depending on the location.  My sister went this route with our mother so that she would have complete control over her health and welfare.  Once a year, my other sister and I get court papers showing how she has used Mom's money and asking us if we object to or agree with having the incompetence label continued.

I'm glad that my mother cannot vote anymore.  She's happy in her own little world, singing most of the day.  But she doesn't know anything about politics or the news. 

The man whose mother voted with the help of some volunteers should also not have voted. 

This used to happen in Florida when I lived there.  Groups with their own agendas made sure they showed up to help the elderly register and vote.  They assisted them in doing absentee ballots.  Most likely, many of them were not really capable of making that kind of decision. 

The gentleman mentioned in the news said that he was going to try to get his mother's vote thrown out.  To do that, he may have to file papers that she's been incompetent for months or years before she voted.

You do have to wonder about the people who came to register the elderly and help them vote.  Did they think they were being helpful?  Or did they have their own agenda, like the ones we used to see in Florida?