社会｜要介護4でも郵便投票ができない理由 / “Society | Reasons Why Those Needing Care Level 4 Cannot Vote by Mail”

Summary

As the 2025 House of Councillors election approaches, issues surrounding voting for the elderly and people with disabilities are coming to the forefront.

One major concern is that individuals classified as needing care level 4 are unable to use mail-in voting, which is only available to those at care level 5. As a result, elderly individuals who wish to vote from home are unable to go to polling places, losing their opportunity to participate in the election. To ensure the right to vote is protected, a review of the current system is necessary.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Chako: Hey, Log, what do you mean you can’t vote by mail?
Log: People with a care level of 4 aren’t eligible for mail-in voting. Only those with a care level of 5 have that right.
Chako: So, that means there are people who want to vote but can’t go to the polls? That seems really unfair, doesn’t it?
Log: Yeah, I think a lot of people feel that way. It’s a problem that the system doesn’t allow people to vote from home if they want to.
Navi: I believe we need to reconsider the system in this regard. It’s important to protect the voting rights of the elderly and people with disabilities.
Chako: I just wish everyone could have the opportunity to vote!

Admin’s Note

This article addresses important issues related to voting for the elderly and people with disabilities. In particular, the reality that individuals requiring level 4 care cannot utilize mail-in voting has been a significant barrier for many. The right to vote is fundamental to democracy, and we need a system that allows everyone to participate equally. While I hope for future reforms, I want to keep a close eye on how specific measures will be implemented.