Enhanced Voting Accessibility: Sagamihara City Introduces In-Person Absentee Voting at Hospitals and Care Facilities
Sagamihara City is pleased to announce an important initiative aimed at significantly improving access to the electoral process for its residents. Effective July 25, 2025, the city will be implementing a new system for “In-Person Absentee Voting at Hospitals and Elderly Care Facilities” (病院・老人ホーム等での不在者投票). This program is designed to ensure that individuals who are unable to visit a polling station due to medical reasons or residing in designated facilities can still exercise their right to vote.
This new policy, published by Sagamihara City on July 25, 2025, at 15:05, reflects the city’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic participation. Understanding the challenges faced by certain segments of the population, Sagamihara City has developed a streamlined process that brings the voting experience directly to those who require it most.
Who can benefit from this new system?
The “In-Person Absentee Voting at Hospitals and Elderly Care Facilities” system is specifically intended for voters who:
- Are admitted to a hospital or medical institution: This includes individuals who are currently hospitalized and are unlikely to be discharged by election day.
- Reside in designated elderly care facilities: This encompasses residents of nursing homes, care homes, and other similar institutions that have been officially recognized for this voting procedure.
How will this system work?
While the precise operational details will be communicated closer to the election dates, the core principle of this initiative is to facilitate in-person voting within these specified institutions. This will likely involve:
- Pre-application: Eligible voters will need to apply for absentee voting through the designated channels, indicating their preference to vote at their current facility.
- Designated Voting Locations: Special, temporary polling stations will be set up within the participating hospitals and elderly care facilities.
- Election Officials Present: Trained election officials will be present at these designated locations on specific dates to oversee the voting process, ensuring its integrity and adherence to all electoral regulations.
- Secure Ballot Handling: All ballots cast through this system will be handled securely and transported to the appropriate counting centers, just as if they were cast at a regular polling station.
Benefits of the new system:
The introduction of this in-person absentee voting program offers several significant advantages:
- Increased Voter Turnout: By removing the physical barriers to voting, the city aims to increase participation from those who might otherwise be disenfranchised.
- Enhanced Convenience: Voters no longer need to worry about the logistics of traveling to a polling station when they are unwell or residing in a care facility.
- Upholding Democratic Rights: This initiative underscores Sagamihara City’s dedication to ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to make their voice heard in local and national elections.
Sagamihara City encourages all residents who may be eligible for this service to stay informed about specific application procedures and deadlines as they are announced. The city is committed to making the electoral process as accessible and convenient as possible for all its citizens. Further information and application forms will be made available on the Sagamihara City official website and through direct communication channels with relevant institutions.
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相模原市 published ‘病院・老人ホーム等での不在者投票’ at 2025-07-25 15:05. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.