"I Vote. I Count."

To the Editor: We would like to add a follow-up to the Law & Psychiatry column " 'I Vote. I Count'" : Mental Disability and the Right to Vote" by Paul S. Appelbaum (1) in the July 2000 issue. For many years New Hampshire Hospital has helped patients exercise their right to vote. The social services department and rehabilitation department assist in this process.

Again this year staff and patients worked together to become educated about the issues and the candidates in the national primary elections. They watched the debates, reviewed the candidates' literature, and followed the numerous stories in our local newspapers about the New Hampshire primary, which is the first in the nation.

This year we had the added benefit of the New Hampshire Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NHAMI) and its "I Vote. I Count" effort. NHAMI staff came to our facility along with a representative from the city clerk's office to register local voters. They also brought accurate listings of voter registration offices in all New Hampshire counties. They explained the process of voting by absentee ballot and had accurate information for patients with pending legal issues. On that day, 43 hospital patients and residents of transitional housing were registered to vote.

On primary day, 53 patients and residents voted. The "I Vote. I Count" initiative was very effective and helpful for our facility. We look forward to participating again this fall and hope to increase the numbers of patients and residents who gain access to the political process.

Ms. Lavey is director of rehabilitation services and Ms. Wilcox is clinical coordinator of transitional housing services at New Hampshire Hospital.