Seniors deserve right to vote

To the editor:

A profound and consequential election is upon us. Much has been discussed regarding the female, minority and youth vote.

Yet, an often overlooked and key influencer is the senior vote.

Older adults at 65 and above are engaged, involved voters. According to the U.S. Census, older Americans voted at higher rates — 70.9 percent — as compared with younger Americans, 46.1 percent in the 18 to 29 age group.

Yet, this year — unlike our campus, which is its own election district — many older adults will not have their voices heard as long-term care facilities, and assisted living and retirement communities have closed their campuses because of COVID-19.

More than 3 million older Americans live in long-term care facilities, and assisted living and retirement communities in the United States. These are voters who, in a pre-pandemic world, either went to the polls, or more typically, had the polls come to them through on-campus polling sites and robust volunteer efforts to facilitate registration and voting.

In our new reality, campuses have been closed to visitors for seven months, impeding residents’ civil right to vote.

We must not lose sight of the importance of their vote. The “greatest generation” who fought in World War II, witnessed the Great Depression, polio and smallpox outbreaks, is not only a reflection of our past, but vital to our future. They have been COVID-19’s prey, which eight out of 10 COVID-related deaths reported in the United States to have been among adults 65 and older.

Older adults are educated, opinionated, experienced, and have a stake in decisions that affect health care, which is more compelling than ever in this election. They care deeply about the future of this country for their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.

Our nation is plagued with the ageist misconception that men and women of a “certain age” are no longer relevant, no longer in touch with today’s issues, and no longer have the mental capacity to vote.

Our elders deserve to have their voices heard, and now is the time. We must make every effort to register and make voting accessible to long-term care, and assisted living and retirement communities through mobile, virtual and safe in-person options.

Any restrictions on mail-in ballots will disproportionately affect this population.

There is a Greek proverb that states, “A society grows great when elders plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Older adults are deeply concerned about the future of our world. The vote they cast today will impact generations long after they are gone.

We have a moral obligation to preserve this civil right that they fought for decades ago, and do everything in our power to make voting accessible to all.

Older Americans deserve no less.

Daniel Reingold

The author is president and chief executive of RiverSpring Health, a nonprofit senior health care organization that includes the Hebrew Home at Riverdale.

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