Keep nursing homes out of election conpiracies

Somehow, in recent years, nursing homes have become flashpoints for conspiracies claiming they are subject to voting fraud. In Wisconsin’s 2020 election, there were allegations that nursing homes saw 100% voter turnout. Investigations proved nothing. No charges were filed. But that didn’t stop some from saying more needs to be done to crack down on voter fraud among our most senior citizens. U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde is banging that drum again, suggesting on a Fox program that perhaps those in nursing homes shouldn’t be allowed to vote. Hovde claimed nursing home residents “are not at a point to vote,” pointing out they may only have another several months to live. But Wisconsin law is clear. Under Wisconsin’s constitution, a person’s right to vote can only be removed if they have been deemed legally incompetent by the courts. Disability rights advocates also point out that regardless of the length of stay, illness, or change in living situation, it does not dictate someone’s ability to vote. We shouldn’t be accusing those in their final days of some fraud, and should be making it easier, not harder, for our most senior citizens to participate in our democracy.