Long voting lines were health risk

The “new” system for being able to vote at any of the voting polling stations instead of in your own precinct was a great idea, if there had been more than 11 places to vote!

It turned out to be a very stressful, irritating and downright “dangerous for your health” experience.

My elderly parents (both 87 years old) waited in line at the Foothills Library for over three hours until my father collapsed. My mother had gone back to the car to cool off and rest her weary legs. She later told me that two nice ladies came to tell her that my father was not well and needed help.

I was called at work to come immediately to help them. My father nearly died from heat exhaustion and dehydration. Luckily a nice young man gave my parents bottled water to drink.

When I arrived I could not believe the mess of cars and people everywhere. I found my parents sitting in their car unable to move.

My father is a World War II veteran and has voted in every election since he was 21, until this one. I wish I could thank those good Samaritans who helped my parents in person, but since I can't, I hope they read this and know how special they are. You may have saved their lives.

Jeanie Thomas Volpe

Yuma