Dementia And Voting

[shivvy]

At what stage (if any) are people with dementia unable to vote?
I haven't quite worded that properly, but when someone with dementia can no longer a) physically enter the booth and tick the box, and/or b) explain who they want to vote for - is the right to vote ever taken away from them?
I know that they can register for a postal or proxy vote but that requires a signature. If the person can no longer sign their name what happens then?
Is it similar to a Power of Attorney insofar as it has to be agreed/arranged while the person is of sufficient understanding?
Thank you.

[shivvy]

If we were unsure of who she would vote for then we wouldn't arrange to vote on her behalf. It is because we are so confident that she would vote Alliance that we want to do it for her.

[EDDIE51]

I still say you can not be certain that she has not for some reason changed her mind. Is she even aware that there is an election due?
Every voter should have a free choice over who to vote for , you are not allowing her that choice.

[Jackdaw33]

@PP. The same thing happened in 1979 during the vote of no confidence which brought down Callaghan. A dying Labour MP was brought in an ambulance into the precincts of Westminster where he was 'nodded through' then returned to hospital.

[shivvy]

Eddie - you suggest an example of an unconscious person being unable to vote. However I wouldn't presume to be able to make comment unless I was aware of the specific situation and the person involved.

Indeed that is my point. Mum has voted for Alliance since it's inception in 1970. She has campaigned for them on many occasions, she has raised her family to understand the importance of the right to vote, and for all of the years that she had the capacity to place a tick in a box, she has avidly voted for Alliance. So when you ask if we have proof of how she would vote - well that would be it.
To be honest I have found it upsetting that you say we are not allowing mum a choice. We are trying to do our very best to do what we believe she would be doing herself had dementia not darkened our door.
We have Power of Attorney for mum too but maybe you think we shouldn't be making decisions about her financial affairs either?

[Mamyalynne]

Some are very quick to offer opinions Shivvy even when none were asked for - you do what you think is best.

You know Mum and that is the important thing.

I wish you the best.

[shivvy]

Thank you Mamyalynne.

Maybe I am being a bit over sensitive (because it looks like mum is coming closer to the end of her journey) but by asking this question I was only trying to do the very best by mum. I really didn't anticipate someone accusing me of anything negative.
If we didn't do this for her then her wishes would go unheaded which I would find very difficult. It would feel as if her beliefs didn't matter any longer even though she is still here. As the dementia developed and she became frightened about her future we promised her that we would take care of everything as she would like us to. So for as long as she is with us we feel it is our responsibility to be her voice.

[Mamyalynne]

Treasure the time you have left and strive to do your best, that's all any of us can do.

[shivvy]

Mamyalynne - Mum passed away a couple of weeks ago but I just wanted to thank you because you gave some great answers to a few questions that I posted about her. But you also said some lovely reassuring words which helped probably much more than you know. So thank you, thank you.
I hope you see this message - I didn't know how else to contact you!