Jaffrey expects to provide mobility aids for elderly or mobility impaired voters heading to the polls on Tuesday.
The Franklin Pierce University football team is scheduled to be on call during voting hours, manning two four-seat golf carts, and prepared to assist voters from the parking lot to the Conant High School entrance.
Visitors who may need assistance should park in one of the available handicapped spots, and signal one of the volunteers, who will also be asking arriving voters if they need any assistance. The carts will also pick up residents at the entrance after voting to return them to their cars.
Jaffrey Town Manager Jon Frederick said Jaffrey decided to offer the service based on feedback received from voters following February’s primary. This is the first year voting has been held at the Conant High School cafeteria, instead of the Jaffrey VFW, and some residents reported having issues traveling the distance from the parking lot to the entrance. Frederick said in future elections, the town plans to hold them in the Conant High School Pratt Auditorium, which will allow closer drop-offs of voters.
This year, as voting locations have already been posted, the town is attempting to provide whatever support may be necessary.
“It’s a unique solution, but we’re hoping it will work for this year,” Frederick said.
– By ASHLEY SAARI