VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Full Video Story
Matt Sheremeta: It’s Election Day. A day that brings together all U.S. citizens to make decisions about where they live and the country they love.
Alex Leiba: I like…very like America
Sheremeta: Some citizens, like Alex Leiba, come from far away. Leiba is a Jewish immigrant from Israel. He’s lived in America for 15 years and is a proud citizen. He says the democratic process is an important step for anybody to participate in, regardless of race, nationality or religion.
Leiba: Today is a big day for America. This is election democrat. Election for all people.
Sheremeta: Now whether you have lived in America your whole life, or hauled in all the way from Israel as an immigrant, as long as you are registered, polls are open until 9 p.m. But it is never too soon to bring in the next generation of voters to teach them about the process. Leiba says it is important to teach children about these independent rights, and at a young age. And his kids? They clearly love going to the polls.
Susan Leiba: It makes me feel like home. It makes me feel like some things will change about everything. Like laws.
Sheremeta: Susan says she is bullied in school. And if she were to have a vote.
Sheremeta: Should there be a law against bullies?
Susan: Yes!
Sheremeta: Maybe Susan will help teach the next generation how to make a difference today. Matt Sheremeta, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – For some, Election Day is one of the most important days on the calendar, as United States citizens are passionate about expressing their voting rights. Some were born American; some are American by choice.
“I am an American citizen and I am proud of it. I love America,” said Alex Leiba, an immigrant from Israel.
He’s been living in America for 15 years. He worked hard to get a Ph.D. in microbiology, immunology and genetic engineering. On days like Election Day, he works hard to exercise his rights.
“Today is a big day for America,” Leiba said. “I call on all citizens to more actively exercise their right to vote for their government. Democratic choice deserves respect.”
Being an immigrant, Leiba encourages citizens from any faith, ethnicity and nationality to exercise these rights.
“Election is for all people,” Leiba said. “We love all faiths and nations.”
The “we” is Leiba’s family. Leiba’s wife is also an immigrant. She comes from Azerbaijan. They have three children. Leiba brought his eight-year-old daughter, Susan, and his six-year-old son, David, to the polls with him — a tradition he continues year after year.
“Every year, I go to the election with my children,” Lieba said.
His daughter said she loves coming to the polls to learn about the voting process.
“It makes me feel like home,” Susan said. “It makes me feel like some things can change about everything. Like laws.”
Many parents brought their children to vote with them. One little girl was just excited for the free stickers. But Leiba said, it is never too early to start teaching children about democracy in America.
“Children know how to have an opinion and how to voice it,” said Leiba. “This is good practice for them.”
Leiba said he wants to inspire the next generation of voters to educate themselves on the voting process, no matter how old. Whether it be his own children or others.