Table 1

Suggestions for Reducing Barriers to Voting by Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients

  • Educate facility staff and patients about anti-discrimination laws that allow hospitalized patients to vote (e.g., informational handouts and posters around the hospital).

  • Understand state laws affecting the voting rights of people with mental disabilities.

  • Encourage hospital to promote voter registration year-round.

  • Liaise with local election commission office.

  • Organize staff and volunteers to help hospitalized patients who have expressed desire to vote to apply for, complete, and submit absentee ballots.