Obstacles remain in (Gulf) Coast vote

[Maddy McCall]

While Hurricane Katrina appears to have created a political energy among Mississippi Gulf Coast voters, residents there may face a slew of obstacles in the upcoming primary - from destroyed precincts to a dispute over ballots.

One Katrina victim, Long Beach resident Dale Yeager, said coastal residents would vote "in a wheelbarrow" if they had to.

"Voting is probably more important, by far, than it ever has been for me," said Yeager, who had harsh words for the federal government and its failure to adequately respond to the devastation.

More at: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060507/NEWS0110/605070425/1001
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FAST FACTS

• Voters using the new touchscreen machines will receive an access card when they arrive at the polling place, which will be programmed with their ballot, ensuring even counties with split precincts will not have mixups. Once the card is slid into the machine, the correct ballot pops up on the screen.
  
  
• Voters who are visually impaired can magnify the print, or activate a voice to walk them through the choices. Those who are bothered by a glare or who are colorblind can use the "high contrast" option to switch the print to black and white.
  
  
• The machines provide a summary of the voter's choices before the ballot is sent. They also block overvoting and display a print-out of the vote for viewing only, serving as a "voter-verified paper trail."
  
  Source: Information compiled by staff writer Julie Goodman