Correction: Jan Staehely said her vote was not counted in 2014. The elections office in Clackamas County said her vote was counted.
CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. -- We all want our voices heard and our votes to count.
One Clackamas County woman goes to great lengths to make sure her vote is counted.
Jan Staehely was born with cerebral palsy and has voted for the last 30-plus years. In 2014, she thought her ballot was rejected because her signature is always changing, an effect of her cerebral palsy affecting her hand movements. Clackamas County Elections said Staehely's was ultimately counted.
Nonetheless, the confusion left a lasting impact on Staehely.
"There has to be a better way to confirm a person's obscure signature in a timely manner to avoid the circumstances that's happening to me and other people," Staehely said through the help of her communication device.
She says she always votes, even though it's not her favorite thing to do. She admitted she doesn't always understand the issues.
"Once I'm finished voting, I feel a certain amount of accomplishment," Staehely said.
In Oregon, there is assistance out there for those that need help casting their ballot.
Staehely takes the time to hand-deliver her ballot to make sure her vote counts each election.
