Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — Hillary Tupper, 51, a physician assistant and artist, returned to her former high school Tuesday evening dressed as Wonder Woman to cast her ballot for Kamala Harris, emphasizing her priorities: climate action, women’s rights and safeguarding democracy.
At Nottingham High School in Syracuse, Tupper said that she wore the outfit to symbolize her support for women’s empowerment and Harris. Though New York law prohibits partisan attire at polling sites, she said she chose Wonder Woman as a subtle reflection of her values.
“I also wore this to vote when Hillary ran … (Wonder Woman) is a powerful woman, not just strong but ethical,” Tupper said. “This is about as close as I can get to supporting the woman I’m rooting for.”
Tupper brought her dog Pippa to the polls, and said the act of voting is “powerful” and “necessary.” She grew emotional discussing what she sees as this election’s stakes, particularly for democratic values and freedom of speech, and said she was frustrated with the spread of misinformation on social media.
A consistent voter since reaching eligibility, Tupper has missed only a few elections due to illness. She described this year’s election as uniquely significant.
“It’s the tiniest thing you can do to potentially preserve something good, to preserve democracy,” she said.