Glenn Belt, a resident of Emporia Presbyterian Manor, didn’t have to travel to his precinct this year or to the Lyon County Courthouse to vote — the voting came to him.
As a part of a pilot project with the county clerk’s office and the League of Women Voters, residents in three local retirement communities are able to vote where they reside. Horizon Plaza, Flint Hills Care Center and Presbyterian Manor were used as pilot sites.
Lyon County Clerk Karen Hartenbower said earlier this year that she served on a task force with about a dozen people who together worked on a bill that passed this session allowing polling sites to be established in long-term care homes to provide the residents an opportunity to vote. The bill doesn’t go into effect until 2010, but counties can voluntarily participate before then. Hartenbower and the League of Women Voters decided to pilot the program for this election.
Polling sites established in care homes are for the residents only. Voting is not open to the general public or staff at those locations, Hartenbower said.
Ballots and a touch screen voting machine were taken to each site. Before setting up polling sites at care homes, residents who weren’t registered and wanted to register to vote were allowed to do so.
At Presbyterian Manor on Thursday, residents had the option of voting in the chapel. Residents who were not able to do that were allowed to vote in their rooms. Several residents used the touch screen voting machine in the chapel.
Jacque James of the League of Women Voters said an attendant helps the person learn how to work the machine and then steps back and allows them to vote in private. Questions are answered from a distance so privacy is maintained.
If the voter requests help with actual voting, both the voter and the poll worker have to sign an affidavit stating the voter asked for help. No voter opinions are given by poll workers, only assistance with the machine.
Residents also had the option of filling out a paper ballot.
Belt, who was the second person in to vote Thursday, filled out a paper ballot. Belt said he found the voting convenient because he and his wife have a hard time getting around.
“It means a lot,” Belt said. “I found it pretty easy. Real easy.”
Ann Havenhill of the League of Women Voters said the pilot project was done to get the group’s feet wet and prepare for the general election in November.
“The general election will be at all nine care centers,” Havenhill said.
Ken Hanson, marketing director at Presbyterian Manor, said he was glad to have the polling place at the manor.
“I think it’s great,” Hanson said. “I think Karen (Hartenbower), the county clerk and the League of Women Voters are doing a great public service. Some folks aren’t able to get to the polling places.”
Said James: “Karen Hartenbower saw a need and probably it will be a growing need.
“It’s not in effect yet — that’s what makes Lyon County unique.”
cyberspace (anonymous) says...
It's nice that people had an opportunity to exercise their right to vote. I just hope everyone was informed and educated when they voted so their vote really meant something.
No disrespect, but is there any criteria to determine if someone has the mental capacity to know who they are voting for? Are people with Alzheimer's and other conditions affecting mental capacity allowed to vote?
July 26, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker (anonymous) says...
cyberspace: Older people have always been the most responsible voters of all, voting in higher incidence than any other demographic. In general, they are better informed than anyone. For example, campaigns will target them for mailings because they will read them, whereas other demographics are too busy with other things. Older voters have seen the fads come and go, the pendulum swing back and forth, what to look for in a candidate and so on. Younger voters, because they are lacking in life experience and have other distractions, often don't educate themselves, fall for fads and generally are less responsible than older voters. I submit that we should be much more concerned about how well informed and responsible younger voters are than about older voters.
July 27, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
cyberspace
People vote for candidates for all sorts of reasons. I know a lot of young people who vote for the canidate with the straightest teeth and crookedest smile. There are party loyalists who will vote straight tickets and probably would even if Josef Stalin or Adolph Hitler were the party choice.
I don't think you need to trouble yourself about "old folks" with Alzheimers. There are more than enough "lucid" youngsters to counter-balance them. About the only difference would be that the "old folks" would make no pretension of being informed, whereas the "youngsters" would be well able to rationalize voting for a smooth baritone or the sultry new age voice.
July 27, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )