Casting a Ballot Can Be a High Hurdle for Idaho Family Caregivers

More than 200,000 Idahoans 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 loved 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. You can find the most up-to-date information on voting rules in Idaho at idahovotes.gov. And don’t forget to make sure your loved ones are registered to vote as well.

Registration deadlines and rules vary by state. Here in Idaho you can register to vote in person or by mail using the  Idaho Voter Registration Form(Form ERM-1). Complete the form and hand-deliver or mail it to the applicable county election office listed on the application. Your registration application must be postmarked by the 24th day prior to election. The County Clerk will mail you a card notifying you that they received your registration.

Alternatively, you can register at the polls on Election Day if you bring  proof of ID and Idaho residency.

NOTE: If you mail your form  AND you're a first-time voter in Idaho, you must send either: A copy of a current photo ID OR a copy of a current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement , etc. showing your name and address.

Regardless of how you vote, we’re urging all registered voters to review candidates’ positions on the issues and to cast ballots in November. 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.