© 2026 Samuel Mintz
TULLY, N.Y. (NCC News) – In a contentious midterm, some people in Central New York think voting is about more than just casting a vote, it can be a family affair.
Colin Billups and Kate Randall brought their baby Eliana with them to the polls at the Tully Municipal Building.
Billups says that voting is a vital civic lesson for his child.
“It’s trying to hold true to the old American promise that I grew up with as a kid, that we’re supposed to be able to make things better for each generation,” he said. “I like to think if we’re doing it right we’re all contributing to a community garden, and I think today a lot of people these days are detached from that.”
Billups says it is important to teach children to vote young with a growing issue of civic disengagement. According to the Harvard Youth Poll, only 33 percent of young voters said they would definitely vote in today’s midterms, compared to 40 percent in the 2018 and 2022 midterms.
“We have a record number of people not voting, and that’s kind of sad. It’s not that hard,” Billups said.
Billups and Randall feel bringing children to the polls helps promote voting and civic engagement.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Teaching children to vote
Samuel Mintz: For some folks in central New York — election day is a family affair. With no school today– Colin Billups and Kate Randall brought their daughter Eliana to vote with them at the Tully Municipal Building. Billups says that voting is an important civic lesson for their child.
Colin Billups: “It’s trying to hold true to the old American promise that I grew up with as a kid, that we’re supposed to be able to make things better for each generation. I like to think if we’re doing it right we’re all contributing to a community garden, and I think today a lot of people these days are detached from that.”
Samuel Mintz: They feel bringing children to the polls helps promote voting and civic engagement. Samuel Mintz N-C-C news.