An 81-year-old voted for the first time; She said it was emotional

• Betty Cartledge voted for the first time in the 2024 presidential election by casting her ballot.
• The great-great-grandmother had previously been influenced by her late husband, who never voted.
• Her illiteracy also held her back, but she said she was proud that her voice was finally being heard.

This essay is based on a conversation with Betty Cartledge, 81, of Covington, Georgia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was elated when an employee at my local polling place gave me a sticker that said, “I secured my vote.”

I put it on my coat and was proud. It was the first time in my life that I voted, I turn 82 on Sunday.

My husband William, who died in April at the age of 91, never voted either. We haven’t really talked about it in our 64 years of marriage. I’m not entirely sure why he didn’t vote himself, but it’s not like he told me I wasn’t allowed to do that.

The idea of ​​voting came to me a few months ago after I was talking to my great-niece and a neighbor about the November presidential election. “I would like to vote,” I told them, “but I can’t read or write.”

It seemed intimidating and I couldn’t imagine going alone. I didn’t want to go into the locker room and not know what to do.

The election worker explained the process

My niece Wanda, who has voted in every election since she was 18, has encouraged me every step of the way.

Two weeks ago we went to the registry office to register with my driver’s license. Wanda read the form to me, I signed, and we were ready to get started.

Then on Wednesday she took me to the polling station. I was excited because I didn’t even know what one looked like. The poll worker explained the process and Wanda led me to a booth.

She read out the candidates’ names and I pressed the desired button on the screen. It was my choice and my decision and I didn’t tell anyone who I voted for.

Related stories

I felt more emotional than I thought. It was like the first date, the first kiss or the baptism. Something you will never forget.

Wanda took me to a celebratory lunch and I wore my sticker. A few of my family and friends have contacted me and said they are proud of me.

I hope I can inspire others to vote

It made me feel like an American. I don’t particularly follow politics, but it’s important. This year I lost my husband, my rent went up and the cost of my medication went up. I don’t have much money. But I thought if I went out and voted, it could make a difference.

I hope that everyone else like me who cannot read and write will do the same. I definitely plan to do that in four years.

Can you share a meaningful story with Business Insider about voting in the upcoming election? Please send the details to [email protected]