3 months ago
2
Elmore Kelly, a 78-year-old man from near Atlanta, is voting for the first time in his life, inspired by a local mayoral candidate."Make me feel like I'm somebody," Kelly said, explaining why he made the decision to vote this year. For 78 years of his life, Kelly had never voted. He says he was too busy working on farms trying to provide for his family. Also, he couldn't read or write."Like a farm boy. I never did get into all that," he said. "Never."Kelly says it wasn't that he thought voting wasn't important."I kind of thought it was important but I just didn't have nobody to push me to do that," he said.Then he would see Donya Sartor during their daily walks eight years ago. She spent years trying to convince him to register to vote."About eight years later we finally got him registered. It took some time and convincing," Sartor said.It took her running for mayor of Jonesboro, Georgia, to get him to register."I'm eligible to vote in Georgia," Kelly said. Kelly voted for Sartor and voted for president for the first time."Do you think this election is important?" Kelly was asked by local TV station WSB."Yes," he said."How important?" the station followed up."Very important," he replied.After voting, Kelly came out with his prized sticker.He was proud he cast his vote for U.S. president."First time. In my lifetime. 78 years old," he said.
Elmore Kelly, a 78-year-old man from near Atlanta, is voting for the first time in his life, inspired by a local mayoral candidate.
"Make me feel like I'm somebody," Kelly said, explaining why he made the decision to vote this year.
For 78 years of his life, Kelly had never voted. He says he was too busy working on farms trying to provide for his family. Also, he couldn't read or write.
"Like a farm boy. I never did get into all that," he said. "Never."
Kelly says it wasn't that he thought voting wasn't important.
"I kind of thought it was important but I just didn't have nobody to push me to do that," he said.
Then he would see Donya Sartor during their daily walks eight years ago. She spent years trying to convince him to register to vote.
"About eight years later we finally got him registered. It took some time and convincing," Sartor said.
It took her running for mayor of Jonesboro, Georgia, to get him to register.
"I'm eligible to vote in Georgia," Kelly said.
Kelly voted for Sartor and voted for president for the first time.
"Do you think this election is important?" Kelly was asked by local TV station WSB.
"Yes," he said.
"How important?" the station followed up.
"Very important," he replied.
After voting, Kelly came out with his prized sticker.
He was proud he cast his vote for U.S. president.
"First time. In my lifetime. 78 years old," he said.
English (US)