81-year-old votes for 1st time, says it is ‘by no means, ever’ too late

An 81-year-old Georgia lady voted for the primary time in Covington on Oct. 16, in the future after early voting started in Newton County.

Betty Cartledge advised “Good Morning America” she and her late husband had by no means voted earlier than, however this 12 months, issues modified. She stated her husband died in April 2023, and now that she was on her personal, she had began noticing the excessive price of dwelling increasingly, and felt motivated to vote for change.

When Cartledge’s niece Wanda Moore steered she assist her register to vote, Cartledge stated she jumped on the probability.

“I am unable to learn and write,” Cartledge defined. “I simply thought, properly, then I am unable to go in and do this. I ain’t acquired no one to assist me. However now I’ve, I acquired anyone to assist me, to learn it, to verify I am doing the best factor.”

Cartledge and Moore each voted at Covington Mills Precinct at LifePointe Church of Nazarene, and Cartledge stated it went easily.

“We went in and he or she advised the woman I could not learn and write, and he or she advised her what to do,” Cartledge recalled. “And I went over there, and I achieved it by myself. I achieved my very own voting. I had no one inform me who to vote for or what. She simply confirmed me, learn every thing to me, after which I voted.”

“I assumed it was wonderful,” Cartledge added. “I simply really feel so good doing one thing for America.”

Moore, 65, stated she has been voting in each presidential election since 1976 however accompanying her aunt to vote for the primary time turned out to be essentially the most significant voting expertise for her to date.

“It was very, very touching as a result of I feel that is one thing that she had needed to do all of her life however by no means had the chance to,” Moore advised “GMA.” “And as soon as she acquired the chance to, she thought it was a fantastic, great point, and it was nice watching her.”

Each Cartledge and Moore stated they encourage fellow People to vote, even when they’re unable to learn or write like Cartledge or have any incapacity.

“Speak to [friends and family] and see if they will allow you to out and go on the market and do it. Do it for America. Do it in your nation,” Cartledge stated, including that it is “by no means, ever” too late to vote.

“It is essential for folks that do not have the flexibility to learn and write to know that their vote counts too. It is not an inconceivable factor,” Moore stated. “It is an easy course of, and all they should do is have somebody that can go together with them and skim to them and allow them to verify their very own bins.”

Cartledge stated she hopes to vote once more sooner or later.

“If I am right here subsequent 12 months, 4 years from now, I will probably be again,” she stated.