March 2025

It’s Your Right! Voting for Long-Term Care Residents

It may seem like we voted only yesterday, but a big election year is headed our way in 2025, when New Jersey voters head to the polls to choose a new governor and all 80 members of the state Assembly.

Voting is a fundamental right, and that does not change just because you are living in long-term care. We are committed to helping you exercise that right.

Primary Election—June 10. Voters affiliated with the Democrat and Republican parties will select their candidates for the Nov. 4 general election. To vote in the primary, you must be registered by May 20.

Am I registered? you ask… You can look up your status at VOTE.NJ.GOV and learn how to register online, by mail, or in person.

Once registered, you may vote by mail or in person. Visit VOTE.NJ.GOV and click Polling Location to find where to vote on Election Day, June 10, or Early Voting to find voting locations during Early Voting, June 6 through June 8.

Voting by mail is your preference? VOTE.NJ.GOV offers detailed instructions on how to obtain and complete a vote-by-mail ballot.

You must declare a party affiliation to vote in the primary. If you are unaffiliated — not registered as a Democrat or Republican — you may vote in either primary by showing up in person on Election Day or during Early Voting.

To vote by mail, submit a Party Affiliation Declaration Form and an application for a mail-in ballot by mail before June 3 or in person (or by messenger) at your County Clerk’s Office before 3 p.m. on Monday, June 9.

Visit VOTE.NJ.GOV and select County Election Officials to find your County Clerk’s Office.

Check out future editions of The Beacon for information on the Nov. 4 general election. Download our Voting Guide at NJ.GOV/LTCO.

Celebrating 50 Years: Consumer Voice provides resources, tools to fight Medicaid cuts

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care turns 50 this year. The Consumer Voice offers a wealth of webinars, podcast episodes, fact sheets, guides, and other resources related to residents’ rights, filing complaints, and operating resident councils and family councils. The Consumer Voice is also leading the fight against proposed cuts in federal Medicaid funding that could impact people receiving long-term care services. Visit / to learn more about these offerings and how you can make your voice heard.

Who’s Who? Women’s History Month Match the Woman to her Historical Accomplishment

1. The first Asian American woman in Congress from Illinois, the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.
2. The first Black woman elected to Congress and to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
3. A marine biologist and conservationist credited with sparking the modern environmental movement.
4. First Latina to have an EGOT, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
5. A Pakistani girls' education activist and the youngest-ever Nobel laureate who continues to advocate for education and women's empowerment.
   
   
   1. Shirley Chisholm
   2. Tammy Duckworth
   3. Rita Moreno
   4. Malala Yousafzai
   5. Rachel Carson

1. B, 2. A, 3. E, 4. C, 5. D