Failure to Facilitate Residents' Right to Vote
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that three residents were able to exercise their right to vote in elections through absentee ballots or other authorized methods, as required by their own policy and federal regulations. The policy stated that residents should be encouraged to participate in community activities, including voting, and that transportation may be arranged through the Activity or Social Services Departments. However, review of facility records and interviews revealed that residents who expressed a desire to vote were not provided with adequate assistance or information to do so. One resident, with moderate cognitive impairment, stated that they wanted to vote but were not asked or informed about how to participate. Another resident, who was cognitively intact, was told they could not vote because their identification was expired and from another state, and no assistance was provided to obtain a valid ID. A third resident, also cognitively intact, had identification and expressed interest in voting upon admission, but was not asked about voting or provided with the opportunity, which the resident linked to feelings of depression. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of follow-up and communication regarding residents' interest in voting. The Social Services Director and Activities Director both acknowledged gaps in the process, including not revisiting new admissions to assess voting interest and not assisting residents in obtaining necessary identification or absentee ballots. Transportation issues and lack of coordination with families further contributed to the residents' inability to exercise their voting rights.