Some CNY Voters Feel That Voting is a ‘Civic Duty’

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (DIA) – As polls have opened across the country, voters have been showing up to Erwin First United Methodist Church passionate and ready to vote. Many voters are voting today due to a variety of reasons.

Joe Henneberry, 59, is a facilities manager for women who don’t have a home.

“I think it’s our civic duty as a citizen, you know. Like they say, if you’re not part of the process, you shouldn’t complain about the outcome,” Henneberry said.  

Other voters like Seth Tucker, who is the Director of Global Safety at Syracuse University, hasn’t missed an election since he was 18. Tucker remembers voting for Michael Dukakis in 1988 in his first presidential election.

“Even beyond an issue this year, I think this year it’s important just to vote period,” Tucker said.

In addition to Tucker, John Moreland, 74, an insurance broker in Syracuse has also voted in every election since he was 18.

“My parents did it, my grandparents, and it’s appropriate for an American citizen,” Moreland said.

Moreland feels strongly about crime and the environment. 

Ali Grandy, 36, is an inventory specialist at a medical cannabis dispensary. She thinks it’s so important to vote especially due to the divide in our country right now.

“I think that in order for us to truly be a country with a solid democracy, we all need our voices heard. It’s your civic duty because your voice needs to be heard in order to be a part of that,” Grandy said.

She also said, “I want my kid to see me voting. I think that’s important really, just to like display it for the next generation.” 

Whether it’s a civic duty or they just want their voices to be heard, many voters are going to the polls today to vote.