The 58-year-old Hephzibah woman, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, refuses to let her condition keep her from casting her ballot. Even though she can't make it to the polls, Ms. Clegg will cast an absentee ballot.

"It's important for everyone to vote, not just those who are physically able," she said.

For some Augusta residents, voting on Election Day isn't as simple as going to the precinct.

"Voting for individuals with disabilities can be difficult," said Eileen Faucette, who has reflex sympathetic dystrophy. "It requires quite a bit of planning."

Blind voters can listen to the names of candidates on a pair of earphones and then punch in their selections on a keypad. MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF

Election officials hope new voting machines will alleviate some of the anxiety that disabled voters face.

The machines are equipped with a voting with disabilities unit, said Travis Doss, the assistant director for the Richmond County Board of Elections.

"For the first time, a blind person can actually vote unassisted if they choose to," he said.

Using headphones and a keypad, vision-impaired voters should be able to vote with ease this general election.

New machines are built to Americans With Disabilities Act specifications, so they are wheelchair adjustable, Mr. Doss said.

Voters who need more help can bring an assistant to the polls, but only if they fill out the proper paperwork, he said.

Election officials in Columbia and Richmond counties said all the polling precincts are handicapped accessible.

In Aiken County, only one precinct, Warrenville Christian Community Center on Minter Street, is not handicapped accessible. Voters who are unable to stand in line at the polls can vote from their vehicle.

Reach Ashlee Griggs at (706) 823-3552, or ashlee.griggs@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Thursday, October 31, 2002 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle