Polls were set up during midterm elections to be ready by 6 a.m.© 2026 Alec Smith
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — For Jim Dolan, voting on Election Day is about exercising a fundamental right and honoring a lesson passed down by his father.
As voters head towards the final sprint to the polls across Onondaga County on Tuesday, Dolan said the ability to participate in elections reflects one of the founding principles of the United States.
“Because that was the principle our nation was founded on, that people have a voice,” Dolan said.
Dolan said his commitment to voting began early in life, influenced by his father, who was a local politician for many years.
“I would say it was instilled in me. My father was a local politician for a long time,” Dolan said.
That influence helped shape Dolan’s understanding of voting and the importance of making his voice heard through the ballot box.
For Dolan, voting is about more than selecting candidates. It is an opportunity to take part in the democratic process and help shape the future of his community.
Across Onondaga County, voters bring different backgrounds, experiences and motivations to the polls.
Dolan’s story highlights how family influence and a belief in the right to vote can shape a person’s commitment to participating in elections.
For him, showing up on Election Day is a way to exercise that right and carry a family lesson forward to positively impact the rest of the community.