SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — A line formed at the Solvay Geddes Youth Center before the opening of the polls at 6 a.m.
Mother of two Jacquelyn Murphy was among this early morning group. Murphy said she wanted to bring her children to show them the importance of voting.
“It’s huge,” said Murphy. “We have been talking about it since yesterday, that we are going to come early, were going to get up a little early and go do this together.”
She said it’s important to bring her daughter Leah to the polls this election year. “What it means for Leah, especially having a female on the ballot,” said Murphy.
Poll workers also arrived early, just before 5 a.m., to set up the polling location.
Inspector Patti Blanchard has been working at this location for close to 15 years and said it is a privilege to not only interact with voters, but also volunteers.
“There are younger people not only coming to vote, but also working at the polls … we’re not necessarily showing that in our demographics here, but I have worked with a lot of young inspectors and it was wonderful,” said Blanchard.
The Solvay Geddes Youth Center polling site will close at 9 p.m. along with other locations in New York.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Reporter Jill Schumacher: The Solvay Geddes Youth Center is one of five polling sites in the town of Geddes. Patti Blanchard is an inspector at this polling site and has been working the polls since her early 20s. Blanchard says this is your opportunity to use your voice.
Patti Blanchard/Inspector: This country is in a crisis as far as I’m concerned and don’t complain about it unless you do something about it. This is our opportunity to have a voice.
Schumacher: Blanchard says every voice matters. Others also showed up early this morning to cast their vote. Mother of two Jacqueline Murphy brought her children to the polls this morning. Murphy says its important to show her children the importance of using their voice.
Jacquelyn Murphy: It’s huge we have been talking about it since yesterday that we are going to come early were going to get up a little early and go do this together.
Schumacher: Murphy says it means a lot to bring her daughter to vote especially having a woman on the ballot. She says every single vote matters for both the presidential and local elections. Jill Schumacher NCC News.