From AP/CNN:

All but 11 states have laws limiting voting rights on the basis of competence, denying people voting rights for reasons like intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Advocates are working to help people exercise their rights, but say laws are vague and open to interpretation by the courts.

Others worry that unscrupulous outsiders will attempt to coerce or improperly claim the votes of vulnerable people.

Members of both parties often accuse opponents of trolling for votes in hospitals and nursing homes, notorious places for voter fraud. A former Pennsylvania congressman was convicted in 1998 of filling out absentee ballots in the names of nursing home residents, and similar accusations often surface at the local level.

Voter eligibility is crucial for this population, advocates say, because people with disabilities rely on the government for services.  “It’s very frustrating to see situations where they’re barred from voting on issues that have such an impact on their life,” said Jennifer Mathis, deputy legal director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

Related stories here and here and here.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 at 12:54 pm and is filed under Campaign 2008, intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health, voting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.