In a remarkable demonstration of civic duty, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has cast his absentee ballot from his hometown in Georgia, despite being in hospice care since early 2023. The 39th president, who turned 100 on October 1, remains deeply committed to his role as a voter. According to Jason Carter, his grandson and chairman of the Carter Center, the former president was particularly eager to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jimmy Carter’s long-standing dedication to democracy was on full display as his absentee ballot was dropped off at a courthouse in Americus, Georgia. “He was determined to vote, especially for Vice President Harris,” said Jason Carter in a statement. Under Georgia law, family members are allowed to return a completed absentee ballot on behalf of voters, ensuring that Carter’s wish to participate in the election was honored.
This year’s vote, though significant for Carter, is just the latest chapter in his enduring relationship with American elections. Throughout his post-presidency, Carter has remained an active participant in the democratic process, regularly casting votes in general elections, primary runoffs, and special elections. The former president, who is widely respected for his commitment to democracy and human rights, continues to inspire Americans with his unwavering dedication to civic engagement, even in his advanced years.
Carter’s commitment to voting is no surprise, given his long history of political and electoral involvement. As a young man, Carter experienced firsthand the importance of fair elections. In 1962, he won a seat in the Georgia State Senate, but only after a chaotic election scandal involving ballot-stuffing. The initial election result had favored his opponent, but after a lengthy legal battle, the fraudulent votes were discarded, and Carter emerged victorious. This experience left a lasting impression on him and became a key motivation for his work in promoting free and fair elections worldwide.
After leaving the White House in 1981, Carter, along with his wife, Rosalynn, founded the Carter Center, a nongovernmental organization focused on advancing human rights and democracy around the globe. One of the Carter Center’s core missions has been to monitor elections in emerging democracies, ensuring that people’s voices are heard. The organization has monitored more than 100 elections in 39 countries, highlighting Carter’s lifelong dedication to promoting democratic values.
Carter’s strong belief in voting extends back to his youth. In 1943, when Georgia became the first state to lower the voting age to 18, Carter was just months away from turning 19. Although he couldn’t participate in that historic vote, it set the stage for a lifetime of civic involvement.
Since then, Carter has been a regular voter in Georgia, where he still resides in the small town of Plains. Despite his advancing age and health challenges, he has continued to participate in elections, demonstrating his belief in the power of the vote. State records show that Carter has been particularly consistent in casting his ballot by mail over the past decade, ensuring that his voice continues to be heard in the political process.
Even as a former president, Carter has remained deeply engaged with the electoral system. In fact, one of his first major legislative efforts as president in the late 1970s was to push for reforms in voter registration and campaign finance. He even proposed abolishing the Electoral College, a controversial idea that is still debated today. Carter believed that the Electoral College gave disproportionate influence to certain states and undermined the principle of one person, one vote.
Georgia has become one of the most politically significant states in recent U.S. elections, with narrow margins deciding key races. In the 2020 presidential election, Joseph R. Biden Jr. won Georgia by just 11,779 votes, becoming the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since Bill Clinton in 1992. Sumter County, where Carter lives, played its part in this shift. Biden won the county by 586 votes, reflecting the broader trend of Georgia’s changing political landscape.
