Woman Seeks Limits on Mentally Disabled Voters

(Jeff Raasch/The Gazette)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 18, 2008 at 12:13 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2008 at 12:14 PM CST

GRINNELL (AP) - A Deep River woman wants to change a state law to require that mentally disabled voters be supervised when they cast a ballot.

Brenda Lyddon says she was upset when staff at a group home in Grinnell took her 26-year-old son, who is developmentally disabled, to vote on Election Day against her wishes.

Lyddon says she's not trying to take away a person's right to vote. She unsuccessfully challenged her son's ballot. She has guardianship over him for most legal decisions but preventing him from voting would require a court hearing.

Lyddon says she supported Republican John McCain and her son voted for Barack Obama, but she says that isn't behind her complaint.

She says her son doesn't have the mental capacity to choose for himself.

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