Although at times there’s some confusion, usually by Nov. 4 most residents of Johnston know where to vote. When you just moved here, however, things can be a lot more complicated. For two women who had just moved to the area recently, however, the problem of where to vote was solved quickly – the women were able to cast their vote in the presidential election with just one trip to Johnston Town Hall. The women, Joan Benson and Ann Doonan, moved to Cherry Hill Manor from their homes in Warwick and Rumford, respectively, just weeks ago to undergo rehabilitation. Both are confined to wheelchairs. A Cherry Hill Manor van transported them to the rear door of Town Hall, where the women faced one more obstacle to doing their civic duty: Town Hall is not fully handicapped accessible. Once again, poll workers made accommodations for the women to vote, bringing the ballots to them. “I was so upset, I thought, ‘I’d do anything to vote,’” said Benson, who had been transferred to Cherry Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after being discharged from Kent Hospital in Warwick. Moderator Paul D. Santilli is familiar with the Town Hall building, having worked in it years ago. There’s only three ways in – two flights of stairs and an elevator, and the building’s elevator is not working. “I’m very happy that they came out to vote – they are now registered voters in the town of Johnston,” he said. “[Town Hall] isn’t up to code. They really need a more modern building; it should be all on one level. If there was a fire in here, God help the people on the second floor.” The Town Hall location was opened to accommodate new residents, residents who had changes of address, those who had not registered in time, new citizens, members of the armed forces and those residents who may have moved to another district within the town. The process was very easy and asked voters to fill out a new form listing any changes. Those completing the form could cast a vote only in the presidential election but many had still taken the opportunity, rather than miss the historic event. “A lot of people are voting now, because they feel that it’s important to cast their vote,” Santilli said. “We opened at 7 a.m., and our first voter was at 7:03 a.m.” The location had registered 228 votes by about 4 p.m., and like other voting places, it was open until 9 p.m. Each voting place was equipped with an Automark voting machine, allowing those in wheelchairs and those with visual and hearing disabilities access to the ballot. Some poll workers said they didn’t understand why the new senior center, which is handicapped accessible, wasn’t being used. The center was closed Election Day and several of its volunteers were working the polls. Another location, the fire station on Atwood Avenue, was busy all day, but the small parking areas caused problems for voters, including a van driver from Pocasset Bay Manor; the van dropped off 17 residents on its first trip, five on its second. The driver had trouble accessing the entrance and also turning the van around. Wooden ramps with handrails had been built especially for the site to allow access to the voting area.