SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) –Who says midterm elections are a snooze-fest? At Huntington Hall in Syracuse University yesterday, the midterm elections had a palpable buzz.
“People were very, very eager to vote,” said poll site manager Raj Dewan. “This was a very exciting year to start as a poll site inspector, because you’re helping the long lines of people who really wanted to vote. It is great to be able to help them.”
This is, however, was not Dewan’s first time working the voting. It was his second time and he said he really enjoys working with the poll site team.
“(My) first election was the presidential election in 2020,” Dewan said. “Many people were waiting to cast their vote and and decide on who the next president would be. ”
Dewan predicts large numbers will be voting in the 2024 presidential election, which typically draw more voters than midterm elections.
“The numbers typically are highest in presidential elections, because those are the most consequential elections in some ways,” said Dewan. “The turnout is typically bigger for presidential elections, followed by midterm elections, like this year, followed by the inter year elections.”
Dewan explained, in brief, how the voting process works and why he enjoys being a part of it:
“Every state has laws and, generally speaking, you have to register to vote. Then they verify you’re a citizen, that you’re a legal resident of the county, and you live in the county where you vote. That’s the New York State law. And then once that is done, we try to make it as easy as possible to vote.”
This year, Huntington Hall attracted many SU students. But there were many first time voters and SU alumni at the polls using their votes to decide the future of this country.
“I just turned 18 this year,” said SU student Estefania Figueroa. “I think it’s super important (to vote) because everybody’s vote counts and that needs to be made known here.”
Freshly eligible to vote might be the best gift for Figueroa—getting to show her right as an American citizen in democracy.
“My parents have taught me that,” she said. “I’ve gone voting with them since I was younger. They told me that my vote counts. That’s why I do it.”
Enthusiasm and excitement of voters could be seen today, especially compared to the previous COVID-19 epidemic voting years.
Christie Jasmin, an SU alumni and now working at the department of Marketing and Communications at Syracuse University, said expressing her passion to participate in an election is the reason she votes.
“It’s important to make sure there are enough (candidates) to support a president who backs the ideas that I’m for” Jasmin said. “I’m really big on green energy and women’s rights. I make sure I vote for the candidates who support those ideas.”
“It’s was different”, Jasmin said, as an alumni to come back to the Syracuse campus to vote again.
“Last time I was here I was an undergrad. It was my first time voting,” she said. “That really meant a lot.”
Jasmin said she remembers when the power to direct the country’s future first washed over her:
“After the first inauguration for President Barack Obama back in middle school, I realized that I would have the potential to control my country,” she said.
Although now voting is just ended, it is important for you to know what happened during the midterm election happened in Central New York. If you were infected by the enthusiasm of these voters, next time, remember to bring your driver license or a real ID. Voting is not the aim, but for a future you wish to be. Which is nothing to snooze about.
