The Plan · Deep dive
Their vote.Their choice.
Every eligible Nebraska voter deserves the opportunity to vote, and the right to make that decision for themselves. For residents of nursing homes and long-term-care facilities, assistance should protect the voter’s choice, never replace it.
CMS guidance
The ballot belongs to the voter.
CMS guidance reinforces important protections for residents of nursing facilities:
- The right to vote
- The right to decline to vote
- Freedom from coercion or improper influence
- No registration without the resident’s knowledge and consent
- No completing a mail ballot on a resident’s behalf without authorization
- Residents who need assistance should have options for who assists them
CMS also encourages coordination with state election officials and bipartisan election workers where permitted by state law.
Before helping a loved one vote
Six questions for families.
A simple conversation can help families understand whether a loved one understands voting and can express their own wishes.
- Do they understand what voting is?
- Do they understand what their vote does?
- Can they express their own choice?
- Can they recognize a difference between choices?
- Do they understand that elections can affect them?
- Do they want to vote?
The underlying EIN guide describes this as a conversation for family and trusted friends, not activists or political workers. It is educational and does not determine legal eligibility or capacity to vote. Don’t coach answers or make choices for someone else.
Help them vote if they choose to vote.Respect them if they choose not to.Never make the choice for them.
If you believe someone’s voting rights have been violated, contact the county election official or the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Elections Division.