Casting a Ballot Can Be a High Hurdle for Family Caregivers

More than 1.3 million Georgians care for older parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities, or other loved ones, helping them to live independently in their homes and communities, where they want to be.

A labor of love, family caregiving can be exhausting and overwhelming. That doesn’t change on Election Day. It can be incredibly difficult for many family caregivers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities to get to the local polling station. And if a caregiver’s love one is voting too and has mobility issues, it can be even tougher.
But there are options for voting that can help family caregivers.

Absentee voting by mail or early voting could, for family caregivers and many others, be key to fitting voting into a busy life. The rules for early voting, absentee ballots and all-mail voting differ from state to state. You can find the most up-to-date information on voting rules in our state on the “ Can I Vote” page at the National Association of Secretaries of State website at nass.org.

First, make sure you and your loved ones are registered to vote. Registration deadlines and rules vary by state. Here in Georgia, voters must register with the county office no later than Monday, June 25. On Election Day, 34 states require voters to show some form of identification at the polls, asking them to sign a card and checking the signature against their voter registration card. Voter ID laws vary from state to state. In Georgia, you are required to bring a valid photo ID such as a Driver’s License, State ID card or passport.

Regardless of how you vote, AARP Georgia State Director Debra Tyler-Horton has urged all registered voters to review candidates’ positions on the issues and to cast ballots in the upcoming Georgia primary elections.

“The 2018 midterms will be among the most historic elections in a generation,” said Tyler-Horton. “All voters are encouraged to participate, and the candidates for office would be wise to reach out to older voters. Age 50-plus Georgians are among the most reliable voters and are highly engaged in the important issues of our day.”

In some parts of the state, registered voters will have the opportunity to determine the political parties’ candidates for Congress, and contenders for many local and statewide offices. Nationwide, the balance of power in both houses of Congress, as well as in many state legislatures and governorships, will be decided in the fall’s general elections.

This year, AARP has launched “Be the Difference. Vote,” a multifaceted campaign designed to maximize the influence of America’s 50-plus voters. The campaign seeks to get the largest possible turnout of voters age 50-plus to the polls during the ongoing primaries and in the November general election. It will also put front and center issues like Medicare security and family caregiving, along with other topics of particular interest to older voters.

To learn more about “Be the Difference. Vote,” check out aarp.org/vote to see how to get involved and stay informed.

###