Some Americans are not enthralled to cast their ballots this year, while others can't wait.

2022 Election

Voters Cherish Right to the Ballot Box

Dana Dzwonczyk exercises his right to vote because he knows what its like not have one.

By Jack Gordon

Video

Jack Gordon: In Huntington Hall at Syracuse University, students gathered to vote on election day. Although it’s a great opportunity to cast their ballot some students just weren’t too excited. 

Astrid:  It was a pleasant experience, I didn’t have much thoughts about it. I just went in there and voted, why not.

Jack Gordon: The youth are supposed to be eager to fill out that ballot, right? Well there wasn’t as much interest as you’d expect. 

Sam: I felt, I mean, I felt the same way I did last time I came to Huntington Hall

Jack Gordon: Here at the Syracuse University campus, Huntington Hall wasn’t just home to students today. Many others came out to vote.

Jack Gordon:  The lack of student excitement is a little worrying. Americans can take the right to vote for granted. But for Dana Dzwonczyk, this opportunity means everything. (zvon-chick)

Dana Dzwonczyk: When I left Poland it was under communism so the elections weren’t what they were supposed to be. Here it’s different because they are aways democratic and people who can vote can express their views based upon their voting and choosing who is right for the government

Jack Gordon: Dzwonczyk cherishes his right to vote in the U.S. The native of Poland voted with his parents today, and is proud of every ballot he gets to cast. 

Dana Dzwonczyk: I will try to vote in every election now because the right to vote is a great democratic rule of law, and everybody should follow that.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (DIA) — Dana Dzwonczyk didn’t use to take part in democratic elections. That isn’t because he chose not to cast ballot, Dzwonczyk was born in communist controlled Poland. 

The Eastern European grew up in a place without free elections. In communist-controlled Poland, Dzwonczyk lived in a much different political environment.

“When I left Poland, it was under communism, so the elections weren’t what they were supposed to be. Here it’s different because they are aways democratic and people who can vote can express their views based upon their voting and choosing who is right for the government,” Dzwonczyk said. 

Dzwonczyk didn’t come to Huntington Hall at Syracuse University alone. The Poland-native brought his parents with him on election day and was glad that voting has become a family endeavor. It’s something the group certainly couldn’t do in their past life, so the ability to vote is much appreciated.

 “I will try to vote in every election now because the right to vote is a great democratic rule of law, and everybody should follow that,” Dzwonczyk said. 

Dzwonczyk was excited about how swift the process was. At the Huntington Hall polling place, they run a clean operation. 

“It was very easy. It was coordinated very well, there was guidance and a person to tell you where to put the ballot in the machine,” Dzwonczyk said. 

For many Americans, voting in elections may seem like something everyone has. Dana Dzwonczyk knows it’s not that simple. Not everyone around the world has free elections like the United States. Some may take the right to vote for granted, but the Poland-native is not one of those people.

 

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