St. Anthony staff helps residents get out to vote

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A group of residents at St. Anthony Health Care packed up and headed out on Election Day.

"We have a wheelchair van that is coming," St. Anthony Administrator Ken Thompson said. "We'll take them to St. Lawrence and staff will assist them in getting them into the polling station."

That ride almost didn't happen. The Tippecanoe County Board of Elections held early voting at Saint Anthony Nov. 1. Some residents weren't able to vote on that day.

"Since then people have come and gone," Thompson said. "Others have just changed their mind. They want to vote."

Thompson said he has had trouble getting the Board of Elections to come back so residents can cast their vote. He has also had trouble getting workers at polling centers to help get the residents, many who are in wheelchairs, out of vehicles.

The Tippecanoe County Board of Elections said they don't arrange rides on Election Day. Members of local political parties are in charge of that.

In the final days before the election St. Anthony rounded up staff and vans to make sure all their residents had the chance to vote.

"It's not unusual to transport patients to the hospital, doctors or clinics," Thompson said. "It's something we do on everyday occasions, so we'll just do it, but instead of going to the doctors we're going to the polling station."

With a few hours to spare all residents at St. Anthony, who chose to, had their ballot cast.

"It doesn't matter what your age is, people love to vote," Thompson said.