Voting and Persons with Dementia
On Wednesday, Sept. 15, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published an article titled, "Addressing the ethical, legal and social issues raised by voting by persons with dementia."

The group is attempting to address what it sees as the current lack of guidance for family caregivers, health-care professionals and long-term care staff to help them decide whether people with dementia should be precluded from, or assisted in, voting.

With the upcoming national election, and the aging of the population, this is certainly an interesting and timely issue.  The Alzheimer’s Association believes that the voting rights of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease should be protected, while also ensuring that those with advanced dementia are not exploited and that the electoral system is not subjected to fraudulent practices.  Currently, no laws exist that would prohibit someone with dementia from voting (unless they are under guardianship, in which case some states prohibit them from voting).

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is not, on its own, sufficient reason to withdraw the right to vote.  The determining factor in whether someone’s voting right should be withdrawn is the person’s ability to understand what he or she is doing in the voting process.  If you would like to register to vote in this year’s elections, please contact your local election authority.

If you would like a copy of the JAMA article, "Addressing the ethical, legal and social issues raised by voting by persons with dementia," please contact Brian Schwarberg at 217.726.5184 or brian.schwarberg@alz.org.