The Probate Stars blog reports that “you generally cannot use a power of attorney to vote on behalf of someone else in an election. Although election laws and the laws regarding the ability of a power of attorney to vote on behalf of the principal are controlled by each state, the answer across a sampling of states is unequivocally no.
A power of attorney allows a person (an “attorney-in-fact” or “agent”) to act in place of the principal. Generally, a power of attorney can undertake any legal act that the principal can. Powers often given to a power of attorney include financial powers such as banking and check writing, gifting, or healthcare decisions. Read What Is a Power of Attorney to learn more about powers of attorney in general.
However, a power of attorney is generally not permitted to perform acts that are uniquely personal to the principal, unless authorized to do so under statute. Voting is considered a personal act.”
Click here to see full article: “Can You Vote With A Power of Attorney?”
Posted by Elise Kim, Managing Associate Editor, Wealth Strategies Journal.
