We've heard about many examples of election fraud in recent years, but one type of voter fraud has not received as much attention---the targeting of senior voters. This growing and underreported problem is at the center of a new joint effort from the groups the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) and the American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) called the Center for Vulnerable Voters.
Andy Mangione, Senior VP of AMAC Action, says this is an issue that needs to be addressed at the national level. "In Wisconsin, investigators found rampant fraud and abuse that occurred in nursing homes statewide, and they also noted this type of abuse in Michigan and in Texas," he tells KTRH. "These were operatives of the left coming in there and taking advantage of nursing home residents who may not have full mental capacity, and harvesting votes or guiding them to vote a specific way."
The new effort has several resources aimed at preventing this type of elder voter abuse before it happens. "These include a voter bill of rights being shared with senior facilities throughout the country, and they've developed a guide for families of loved ones residing in nursing homes, to spot and prevent efforts at fraud," says Mangione. "They also have a vote fraud hotline to report instances of seniors being taken advantage of."
"We are exposing our members (at AMAC) to these resources as we roll into the midterm election, so they can spot this kind of fraud and abuse for their loved ones," he continues.
The effort is not only aimed at preventing voter fraud directed at seniors, but at prosecuting those responsible. "This is horrible," says Mangione. "For these people who have lived their whole life expressing their precious right to vote, and it's being abused and taken advantage of in their golden years."
Photo: Getty Images North America