VAN BUREN, N.Y. (NCC News) — For Van Buren voter Maryjo Spillane, her town is a place of peace.
“It’s just quality of life,” said Spillane. “People are friendly here, it’s clean here.”
She’s attempting to build her new home in the town, which brought her to the polling place at city hall despite the fact she had voted early this year.
Spillane is one of over 2 million people in New York state to vote early, according to data from the state board of elections. That is over twice the number of early voters counted by the board in 2022.
“For a midterm election, people seem very very excited about this year’s voting,” said Spillane.
She said that when it comes to voting there’s a weight to it that is separate from any single race or issue.
“I think why I vote is because it’s our right,” said Spillane. “There’s people around the world that would love to have our rights.”
For another Van Buren voter, Mark Bowen, the exercising of the right to vote is just as important. He said he encourages those close to him to vote, even if political opinions differ.
“I tell my wife to vote even if I know our votes will offset each other in many cases,” said Bowen. “I guess that shows the process is more important to me than the results.”
Regardless of who wins any one race, Spillane is confident in the future.
“No matter who wins, nothing is forever,” said Spillane. “Whatever side you[‘re] on it’s not going to be doom and gloom. The sun will come out tomorrow.”
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: For Van Buren voters, voting is about more than any race
Jack Hughes: This year we talked to voters here at Van Buren City Hall about why they voted and their answer was pretty simple: Because they can.
Maryjo Spillane: There are people around the world that would love to have our rights to be able to vote and have a say.
Hughes: That is Maryjo Spillane. She’s a Van Buren resident and one of the few people not there at the building to vote. Spillane is attempting to build herself a new home in Van Buren and was meeting the codes manager. For this year she went against her routine and voted early, just like over 2 million others in the state of New York, according to data from the state’s board of elections. Spillane says she’s seen more enthusiasm in this cycle than years past.
Spillane: For a midterm election, people seem very very excited about this year’s voting. I mean, there seems to be a lot of energy this year, and I think that’s great.
Hughes: Early voting numbers this year were nearly double that of 2022. Spillane attributes the increase in engagement to rallies around the country which she says has helped get people talking.
Spillane: It’s nice that everyone is taking an interest and they’re starting to have discussions about really what’s important to them.
Hughes: Spillane ultimately remains confident in the voting process, regardless of the result.
Spillane: No matter who wins, nothing is forever, and whatever side you[‘re] on it’s not going to be doom and gloom. The sun will come out tomorrow.