At 81 years old, Betty Cartledge from Covington, Ga., cast her very first vote in this year’s presidential election. It was a milestone she never thought she’d reach, but with the help of her niece, Wanda Moore, Betty finally made her voice heard.
“I had been thinking about it before, but I can’t read or write,” said Cartledge, who soon turns 82. “I didn’t want to go in the booth and not know what to do.”
Throughout her life, Cartledge had reasons for not voting. Her late husband, a Korean War veteran, never saw a need for her to vote, and as a devoted wife of 64 years, Cartledge never questioned his stance. “I was married to him for 64 years; I knew everything about him. But that was something he never discussed and never wanted to do,” she said.
Betty Cartledge with her late husband, William. Photo courtesy of Wanda Moore
So, during every election season, Cartledge quietly pushed the thought of voting aside. It wasn’t until recently that her niece, Wanda, realized her aunt had never cast a ballot. Moore, a dedicated voter since 1976, took the initiative to find out.
“I wondered if she’d ever registered to vote,” said Moore. When Cartledge confirmed that she hadn’t, Moore was determined to change that.
She said she had thought about it many times but because she couldn’t read or write, she didn’t think her vote would count,” Moore explained.
But Moore reassured her aunt that her vote absolutely mattered. With that encouragement, Cartledge decided it was time to make her voice count. About two weeks ago, Cartledge officially registered to vote, with Moore by her side. “I wanted to go, I really did,” Cartledge said. “I’m sorry I had waited so long. I wish I had done it before now.”
When the big day arrived, Cartledge was ready. Moore helped her navigate the early voting station and read aloud the voting information, including the names on the ballot. But Cartledge was clear about one thing: “She didn’t tell me who to vote for. That was my choice,” she said.
The experience of voting for the first time was easier and more emotional than Cartledge had anticipated. “It was amazing,” she shared. “If I could do it, other people who can’t read and write can do it, too. Now I’m not ashamed of it.”
Betty Cartledge at the early voting station. Photo courtesy of Wanda Moore
More than just a simple task, the experience gave Cartledge a new sense of pride and independence. “It made me feel like I was American, and I was standing up for my rights,” she said. For Moore, the moment was just as special. “She was so excited when she came out, it was unbelievable,” she said. Seeing her aunt’s joy after casting her ballot was an unforgettable experience, Moore said.
Cartledge hopes her story inspires others who might feel hesitant about voting, especially those who face challenges like hers. “It doesn’t matter how old you are or how young you are, you need to get out there and speak your mind,” she said. “Your vote counts just as much as everybody else’s does.”
Looking ahead, Cartledge is already thinking about the next presidential election. “If I’m alive, I’m going to vote,” she said with a smile.
View this post on Instagram
Sources: The Washington Times | WSB-TV
