Voting rights and assistance for nursing home and assisted living residents in California.

Your Vote, Your Rights: Voting in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility

Living in a long-term care facility does not mean giving up your right to vote.

California’s general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. If you live in a nursing home or assisted living community, you retain the right to participate in elections and make your own voting choices. Although getting to the polls or obtaining assistance may present challenges, options are available to help you exercise this important right.

Here’s what you and your family should know.

How Can Nursing Home Residents Vote?

California offers several ways to vote, including alternatives for people who cannot easily travel to a polling place.

Vote-by-mail: Registered voters can vote using the ballot sent to them. You can return your completed ballot in the postage-paid envelope, at an official ballot drop box, at an early voting location, or at a polling place.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the county elections office within seven days after the election. Ballots delivered in person must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A friend or family member may be able to return your ballot; follow the authorization instructions on the ballot envelope.

Accessible voting: California’s Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail system allows voters with disabilities, including vision or dexterity limitations, to access and mark a ballot using compatible assistive technology. The completed ballot must be printed and returned.

Emergency medical ballots: Registered voters who cannot vote in person because of a medical emergency may be able to authorize someone to obtain a ballot on their behalf.

For disability-related voting assistance, contact Disability Rights California’s Voting Hotline at (888) 569-7955.

Your Right to Make Your Own Voting Choices

A diagnosis of dementia or another cognitive impairment does not automatically take away your right to vote. Nor does another person’s belief that you cannot make decisions.

Under California law, you retain your voting rights unless a court determines that you are legally disqualified. A conservatorship alone does not automatically eliminate those rights.

If you need assistance voting, you may choose the person who helps you, subject to applicable voting rules. No one should pressure you, interfere with your choices, or vote on your behalf without proper authorization.

Your vote is your own.

Voting Assistance in Long-Term Care

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have responsibilities to help residents exercise their voting rights.

Assistance may include providing voting information, helping residents access ballots, arranging ballot pickup or delivery, and assisting with reading a ballot without influencing voting choices.

Federal guidance affirms that nursing facility residents must be able to exercise their rights without interference, coercion, discrimination, or retaliation. California’s assisted living guidance also recognizes residents’ right to receive help with voting.

Your facility should help you exercise your rights, not create barriers to voting.

Talk with your facility administrator or social services representative about your plans and any assistance you need. Coordinate with family members or friends who may be helping.

Where to Get Help

If you have difficulty obtaining a ballot or arranging voting assistance, contact your facility administrator or social services representative. If the problem continues, these organizations can help:

Long-Term Care Ombudsmen may also help residents address barriers to voting.

Make a Plan to Vote

If you live in a long-term care facility—or have a family member who does—discuss voting arrangements with facility staff before Election Day.

Voting is an important way to make your voice heard. Moving into a nursing home or assisted living community should not prevent you from participating in our democracy.

Your vote matters. Your choices matter. And your rights do not disappear when you move into long-term care.

Source and Further Reading

This article summarizes guidance from California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that works to protect the rights of California long-term care consumers.

Read the complete fact sheet for additional details on voting rights, legal protections, and resources:

Voting Rights for Nursing Facility and Assisted Living Residents — CANHR (PDF)

For current election information, visit the California Secretary of State’s Elections website.