In a disturbing viral video circulating on social media, a woman is seen allegedly manipulating her elderly grandmother into voting for Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. The video, which has sparked outrage online, shows the granddaughter holding the elderly woman’s hand and marking a ballot for her, prompting many to raise concerns about potential voter fraud and elder abuse.
The video, posted by social media user Ian Miles Cheong, shows the younger woman, dressed in a t-shirt with the word “VOTE” emblazoned across it, standing next to her grandmother, who appears to be in a hospital or nursing home setting. The elderly woman, visibly frail, is seated as her granddaughter prompts her to vote for Harris.
“Do you want to vote for the first black woman president ever?” the granddaughter asks. The elderly woman, appearing confused or unaware, simply responds, “Yeah.” It’s unclear if the grandmother fully understands what she’s being asked or the implications of her response.
The granddaughter, visibly excited, continues, “Okay, she’s a Democrat too!” She then places a pen in her grandmother’s hand, pulling it toward a ballot laid out on the table. “So, I’ll show you where to write,” she says, grasping her grandmother’s hand more tightly as she directs her toward the voting mark.
The granddaughter then takes full control, physically moving the elderly woman’s hand to mark the ballot. She forcefully fills in the oval, allegedly marking the ballot for Kamala Harris. Once the deed is done, the granddaughter releases her grip, exclaiming, “Good job, Grandma! You got to vote for the first woman president!”
The video ends with the granddaughter proudly holding up the ballot, appearing satisfied with the outcome. Social media erupted in response to the footage, with many accusing the woman of manipulating her grandmother and potentially committing voter fraud. Watch the video below:
Watch the full video here:
This is how they’re getting Democrats to vote. pic.twitter.com/PJYXx8xmeF
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) October 16, 2024
While this video has caused an uproar, it is not the first instance of elderly individuals being allegedly exploited during the voting process. There have been multiple reports over the years of nursing home residents being pressured into voting for particular candidates. Critics argue that vulnerable seniors, particularly those suffering from cognitive issues, are often targeted by unscrupulous individuals or organizations seeking to influence their vote.
In 2020, allegations of voter fraud involving nursing home residents gained significant attention. Whistleblowers in states like Michigan reported instances of incapacitated individuals being coerced into voting or having their votes cast for them by family members or outside organizations. Representatives from Michigan’s Secretary of State’s office were accused of visiting nursing homes and registering residents who were unable to make informed decisions.
Similar concerns were raised in Wisconsin, where the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections investigated claims of voter fraud during the 2020 election. Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, who served as Special Counsel in the investigation, presented video evidence of nursing home residents being taken advantage of during the voting process.
During a hearing on the matter, Gableman revealed startling statistics: some nursing homes in key Wisconsin counties saw voter turnout rates of nearly 100%, compared to the national average of around 67% in 2020. These unusually high turnout rates raised red flags about potential irregularities, especially in facilities where many residents were legally incapable of making decisions for themselves.
Attorney Eric Kaardal, who worked with Gableman on the investigation, shared heartbreaking stories of families discovering that votes had been cast in the names of their loved ones, without their knowledge or consent. One particularly egregious case involved Sandra Klitze, a nursing home resident who was legally under the care of her daughter. Despite being unable to make decisions for herself, someone at her nursing home had allegedly cast a vote in her name during the 2020 election.
The case in Wisconsin drew attention to the broader issue of voter manipulation in long-term care facilities, where residents are particularly vulnerable. Many of these seniors suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive impairments, making them easy targets for unscrupulous actors seeking to influence their vote.
In addition to individual cases of abuse, there were concerns about organized efforts to sway the outcome of the 2020 election. The Mark Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) was criticized for its involvement in administering the election in Wisconsin, with some accusing the organization of unfairly targeting nursing homes and other vulnerable populations. CTCL gave $8.8 million to Wisconsin election officials to support the administration of the 2020 election, raising questions about its influence.
As the 2024 election approaches, this latest viral video serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing concerns about voter integrity, particularly among vulnerable populations like nursing home residents. While the granddaughter in the video may have seen her actions as helping her grandmother, critics argue that such interference undermines the integrity of the voting process.
Cases like these highlight the importance of ensuring that all voters, regardless of age or cognitive ability, are able to make their choices freely and without undue influence. For now, this shocking video has reignited debates about the ethical and legal implications of such behavior in the voting process.