How Seniors Can Safely Vote in Midterm Elections in 35 Days

Seniors should be able to safely vote without fear in the midterm elections in _35_Days. Older adults are the most powerful voting bloc in America: In every national election since 2002 — when citizen voting data by age became available—those 65 and older have cast ballots at higher rates than their younger counterparts, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. For midterm elections like this year’s, the gap between older voters and younger ones is even bigger.

To help older Voters, the Administration on Community Living has a 2026 voter guide.

Seniors should be able to vote safely using the Administration on Community Living Voting Guide. To avoid fear, voters must do their part to ensure safe and secure elections by reading this and any other directions to create safe and easy voting. The guide includes resources for voting remotely and in person, making voting complaints, and Voting with Developmental Disabilities.

AARP Voting Guide

The AARP voting guide gives you maps to find your states voting resources. It also shows seniors how to avoid falling prey to election disinformation generated by artificial intelligence. If you’re curious about how the iconic “I Voted” sticker came to be, they have the answer to that too.https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/make-your-vote-count/

Voting information for older adults and people with disabilities

Seniors with disabilities should be able to vote without fear

• Vote.gov has information on how to vote, voter registration requirements and deadlines, and locating your state or local election office website.
• The voting section of the National Disability Rights Network website includes a wide range of voting information for people with disabilities.
• The Southeast ADA Center compiled a Resource List with information on accessible voting.

Preventing Voter Intimidation by Federal Agents at the polls

Seniors should be able to vote without fear. Sending armed federal agents, including those from ICE, to election sites is illegal. Federal law and many states’ laws prohibit not only armed federal agents at polling sites. Federal law also prohibits interference in elections or voter intimidation by any officials or private citizens. More important, using these tactics would be a flagrant attempt to hold on to power through force and intimidation . It also would be an affront to free and fair elections. Yet, given the Trump administration’s pattern of flouting rules and engaging in plainly illegal and unethical conduct, including attempting to overturn a valid election, we must take this threat seriously.https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/preventing-voter-intimidation-federal-agents-polls

Trump Administration Depending on Fear

Seniors should be able to vote without fear. So Voters must do their part to ensure safe and secure elections. This administration depends on using fear to undermine public faith in the process. In turn, the most important thing we can all do in the face of such a campaign is to double down on democracy. We must vote. We must make a plan to do so, and we must help our family, neighbors, and friends do the same. Seniors should voters early by mail.Seniors should check voter registrations and cast their ballots as early as possible.

How to turn in Your Ballot Safely

We should learn our state’s options for doing so now and consider voting by mail, returning our ballots in person, or by depositing them in drop boxes when possible. We must also remind our communities that state and local officials are working hard to ensure that our elections remain safe and secure, as well as let our elected representatives know that we expect them to oppose any attempt at government interference in elections. If the administration does make such an attempt, we must be prepared to hold it accountable by protesting peacefully and reporting illegal activities. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/preventing-voter-intimidation-federal-agents-polls

If Federal Agents Do Confront Call Hot Line

Instead of escalating situations by confronting federal agents, voters should call the election protection hotline, (866) OUR-VOTE, to report suspicious behavior to volunteer lawyers who can help determine whether the behavior may be illegal and a basis for court intervention or other kinds of action. They can also alert a poll worker on site, if they feel comfortable doing so. Finally, voters should ensure they are not spreading false alarms about a potential federal deployment, for example, by posting suspicious behavior on social media, as that could lead to unwarranted fear or panic based on unverified information. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/preventing-voter-intimidation-federal-agents-polls

The Trump Administration Has Tried to Interfere With the Midterms

The Trump administration has tried in numerous ways to interfere with the upcoming midterms, often to restrict access to the ballot and suppress votes. As the election nears, speculation has arisen that the administration could next send ICE agents to polling places as an intimidation tactic. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/americans-can-vote-without-fear

ICE abuses have sparked outpourings of solidarity

All this could make us despair, but it shouldn’t. Not only can we succeed, but we already are succeeding. ICE abuses have sparked outpourings of solidarity and loud demands for accountability across the country. The way that communities have handled the scattered instances of ICE agents at the polls is also reassuring. Local officials and law enforcement are making sure that everyone, including federal agents, follows the law, and that voting proceeds smoothly. Civil society, including poll watchers and others, will be ready to document any concerning incidents and report them. Litigators, including the Brennan Center, will be standing by to protect voters’ rights in court if any voter is intimidated. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/americans-can-vote-without-fear

Executive Branch Seize States Power

During and after the Civil War, federal lawmakers recognized the danger of an executive branch that could try to usurp states’ power over elections. They passed laws preventing election interference that protect us today. As they knew well, our democracy depends on all of us casting our votes and using our voices to hold elected officials accountable at the ballot box. We have the tools we need to protect against abuse. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/americans-can-vote-without-fear

Seniors should be able to safely vote without fear