BY LEAH LANCASTER, THE ENTERPRISE LEDGER
ALABAMA-For most citizens of the United States, voting is a privilege and a civic duty. Unfortunately, in many locations, the voting process is more difficult for some than others.
Benny Crocker is a retired Army CW4 and Purple Heart recipient currently residing in Enterprise. He and his wife of 66 years, Johnnie, live near Enterprise State Community College and typically choose that location to cast their ballots when each election rolls around. However, the Crockers, both of whom will turn 85 in January, find it difficult—sometimes impossible—to vote at that location due to the placement of its handicapped entrance. The closest entrance to the handicapped portion of the parking lot is not wheelchair accessible, and for people like them, stairs and long distances are not traversable.
“This is where everybody parks –and it’s a long walk, first of all, from here–but if they have to go all the way around to the (handicapped) entrance, it’s terrible,” said Crocker, who has been in a wheelchair for 11 years. He said that for seniors who struggle with mobility under the best of circumstances, a longer walk to reach the handicapped entrance is daunting and sometimes impossible to overcome.
An additional problem Crocker noted is the confusing location of the signs directing disabled individuals to the handicapped entrance. Because they direct traffic away from the most clearly visible entrance, seniors are sometimes led to believe that the handicapped entrance is in another building. As a result, many leave the property before they even make it to the door.
“I sat right here for two hours, and there was at least a dozen (seniors) that went up there, and two of them got about halfway up and saw the steps and they turned around and came back to their cars,” Crocker said. “They didn’t vote because they didn’t think they could get in.”
According to Crocker, the problem could be remedied simply by providing more help for seniors on voting day. A portable wheelchair ramp and door attendees were among the ideas he suggested, as he and his wife were given assistance in getting up the stairs to vote during last year’s presidential election.
County Administrator John Rodgers Morgan III said that the issue of handicapped voter accessibility at the community college has not been previously brought to his attention, but he will be discussing the issue with President Matt Rodgers in order to provide a better experience for disabled voters at ESCC.
For any questions regarding voting in Coffee County, residents are encouraged to visit www.coffeecountyvotes.com.
