VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
Leah Masi, reporter: Syracuse native William Knodel has voted in every election since he was able. But he says this year he felt more moved to make his voice heard.
William Knodel: We are the richest country in the world, and you would think that we could take care of one another better as a result.
Masi: Knodel has lived in five different countries and even participated in a peace movement in Belfast. He says it was an opportunity to bring people together during a time of hardship.
Knodel: The biggest thing that I learned from my time there was what can be done when people come together.
Masi: He compares those experiences to voting in this year’s election and he’s not alone. SUNY ESF student Kye Bronwyn says even though he’s new to the community, it’s important to show up and vote.
Kye Bronwyn: I mean, there are a lot of people like the decisions made by the county in the city are going to impact a lot of people. But also, I mean, I really love Syracuse. I mean, these are the people, you know, I go out every day and this is what I see.
Masi: Voters like Knodel and Bronwyn say turnout is a sign of hope and a reminder that every voice counts. For NCC News, I’m Leah Masi.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Voters trickled into the polls throughout the morning on Bassett Street, many saying they felt especially motivated to make their voices heard this year.
Syracuse native William Knodel has voted in every election since he became eligible, but this year, he said, felt different.
“We are the richest country in the world, and you would think that we could take care of one another better as a result,” Knodel said.
Knodel has lived in five different countries and once participated in a peace movement in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He said the experience showed him the power of unity during difficult times.
“The biggest thing that I learned from my time there was what can be done when people come together,” Knodel said.
Knodel compared those experiences to voting in this year’s election, saying it’s another way to help bring people together and drive change.
He wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Kye Bronwyn, a student at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, said that even as a newcomer to Syracuse, he believes it’s important to take part in local elections.
“The decisions made by the county and the city are going to impact a lot of people,” Bronwyn said. “But also, I really love Syracuse. These are the people I see every day.”
Voters like Knodel and Bronwyn said turning out to vote is a sign of hope and a reminder that every voice counts.