Failure to Assist Residents with Voting Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assist three residents with the process of voting in the November 2024 election, despite their expressed wishes and cognitive ability to do so. Resident 14, who had intact cognition and significant physical disabilities, reported needing help to renew his state identification card in order to vote, but did not receive any assistance. Resident 28, also cognitively intact, had the necessary identification but was not provided with an absentee ballot or assistance to obtain one, despite her desire to vote. Resident 29, a registered voter, similarly did not receive an absentee ballot and expressed that he wanted to vote. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of follow-up and organization regarding residents' voting needs. The social worker with a master's degree stated she would survey residents with a BIMS score greater than 10 to determine voting interest and assist with identification, but was not employed during the relevant election period. The social worker with a bachelor's degree acknowledged that voter registrars had visited the facility but did not know which residents wanted to vote or provide follow-up assistance. The county voter registrar confirmed that resources were available online for assisting with voter registration and absentee ballots, but these were not utilized by the facility for the residents in question.