It should be no surprise that people in abusive relationships face obstacles to voting.
A common way abusers exert power and control in relationships is through isolation — cutting off their partner’s access to support systems, family, or even resources like social media, the internet, or the mail. This can prevent victims from receiving necessary voter information, such as registration deadlines, the location of their polling place, or even basic facts about the candidates. If they can vote, either by absentee ballot or by mail, voting can feel more like a risk than a civic duty or a way to make their voice heard. Their partner may exert power through intimidation or coercion, closely monitoring or interfering in how they fill out their ballot.
