A grandmother, a granddaughter, and an Election Day tradition

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – For Syracuse resident Deborah, Election Day has a deeper meaning than it did when she first started voting.

Deborah describes voting as a way to stay informed about what’s happening in the country and to stand up for her values and beliefs. She says it is important to ensure that citizens have a voice in the country.

Although Deborah first started voting at 18, she didn’t fully understand the process at the time.

“I was just learning. You know, 18. Oh, you have to go vote. What to vote for. Who knows at 18, right.”

Back then, she would go to the polls alone. But years ago, things changed. Now, Deborah has a partner each time she goes to vote: her granddaughter, Claire.

“She’s been coming to vote with me since she was three, and every year she goes in, and she gets her sticker. And what did you (Claire) tell them, why do we vote? To show that we have a voice.”

For Claire, those trips to the polls have become a tradition. What began as a young child accompanying her grandmother has turned into an opportunity to learn about the voting process and why it matters.

Claire says watching and learning about the voting process over the years has been a “good” experience that she has learned from.

While Claire is still young, Deborah’s decision to bring her along gives her an early look at the importance of using her voice. And for Deborah, voting is no longer something she does alone. It’s a day she gets to share with her granddaughter.