Syracuse Seniors Cast Their Ballots

ANCHOR: WITH MIDTERMS ELECTIONS WELL UNDERWAY, MANY IMPASSIONED SYRACUSE SENIOR CITIZENS CASTED THEIR BALLOTS TODAY AT FRANK DE-FRANCISCO EASTWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER WITH THE HOPE OF A MORE EQUITABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE.

70-YEAR-OLD JUDY EVANS STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTER PARTICIPATION AS A FREEDOM IN THIS COUNTRY THAT’S ALL TOO OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

JUDY EVANS: “I remember people dying, and the sacrifice’s people made to vote is not only a choice, it’s a privilege. Because I feel like it’s a privilege, I vote every opportunity I have, and I raised my children that way and my mother raised me that way, so this is a privilege to be able to come here and voice my opinion.”

ANCHOR: AFTER A LIFETIME OF FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY, JUDY EVANS HOPES THAT ALL VOICES WILL BE HEARD AND REPRESENTED EQUALLY.

JUDY EVANS: “Everyone should be treated equally, whatever is available to you, whether you’re rich or poor, you should be able to have it. I don’t think one or two people because they have a few more dollars in their pockets than I have, that they should be able to make a decision about my life because they have no idea what it’s life to live the way we live.

ANCHOR: LIKE EVANS, 90-YEAR-OLD MADDIE DORSAL, WAS DRAWN TO THE POLLS TO AT LAST SEE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES BE FAIRLY REPRESENTED BY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES IN SYRACUSE.

MADDIE DORSAL: “I think everyone should be equal, no matter their color, their race, sexuality, or whatever. Everybody should vote, this is our opportunity.”

ANCHOR: WHILE ANTICIPATION AND EMOTIONS ARE HIGH THIS ELECTION, MANY VOTERS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC THAT EQUALITY WILL PREVAIL THIS UPCOMING MIDTERM.

IN SYRACUSE, I’M WHITNEY WILSON WITH DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.