Elder law: California passes new senior voting rights law

A new California law makes it a misdemeanor for anyone providing care or direct supervision to a person who is at least 65 years old to coerce or deceive that senior into voting contrary to the senior citizen’s intent.

Senior voting rights are an important emerging part of Elder Law in the USA.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s bill AB 547, a measure to protect senior citizens from voter fraud and abuse, has been signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown and will take effect before the 2012 elections.

This is seen as an important first step towards developing a more comprehensive policy to preserve the voting rights of California’s growing senior citizens population, which are often subject to abuse or voter fraud. The penalties for violators, a fine of up to $10,000 and a maximum sentence of six months in jail, should be a strong deterrent.

Gatto authored the legislation after hearing about the experiences of the parents and grandparents of constituents having their right to vote stolen by caretakers. There was even a candidate for local office whose mother, in a nursing home, was coerced into not voting for her own son.

California is also working with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder to reach out to seniors in assisted-living facilities, where some the most significant frauds have allegedly occurred.

“With a rising number of our seniors finding themselves in living situations where they are under continuous care or supervision, many may find themselves in situations where there is intimidation, deception, or coercion when it comes to participation in elections,” Gatto said. “This legislation will help preserve the voting rights of senior citizens.”

For information on Grandparents Rights check out my website Caring Grandparents.