Older adults are known as more likely voters, yet those in long-term care must often rely on others to help them exercise that right.

Now advocacy groups are raising concerns amid COVID-19.

“With the pandemic, some of the supports that have been put in place in the past may not be available to them,” said Lori Smetanka, Executive Director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care.

Smetanka said residents are facing more difficulties in casting a ballot, in particular those who previously had polling on site.  

“By not having the polling places inside the nursing home, it may mean they need to go out,” Smetanka said.

It's yet another risk for those already highly susceptible to COVID-19.

In an effort to find out what is being done, Spectrum News reached out to the Florida Health Care Association, which represents more than 80 percent of long-term care facilities in the state. We were told the organization shared new guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees nursing homes nationwide. 

The guidance is a reminder to providers that by law, they must ensure residents can vote.  It also encourages facilities to collaborate with state and local officials in order to do so.

We reached out to several elections offices in the Tampa Bay area, where officials said they are working with facilities to accommodate mail in voting.

Local ombudsmen have also been directed to help, in an effort to make sure all ballot deadlines are met.  

“They deserve the support,” Smetanka said. “They have given their lives to this country, to their communities, and they have the right to have a say in decisions moving forward.”

Elections offices are encouraging facilities to reach out with any needs. If a facility does choose to transport residents to the polls, they are encouraged to do so in smaller, socially distanced groups.