The right to vote is a real privilege

by Ann Efimetz

NORFOLK, Virginia — Vicki Pavlova couldn’t vote Tuesday, since she didn’t meet two criteria. First, she’s just 17. More intriguing, she’s from Russia.

Those obstacles didn’t stop the William & Mary freshman from standing outside Norge Elementary handing out sample ballots.

“I can’t vote, but I want to volunteer because I think it is important,” Pavlova said. “It is really great that people have a choice in America, and they appreciate the choice. This is something I have never experienced. I never understood how many choices people have here. In Russia, the choices are basically made for you.”

Pavlova is from a small town outside of Moscow. She remembers standing for hours in bread lines with her mother during the Communist regime. After arriving in America about a year ago, Pavlova learned the value of democracy.

Last fall, Pavlova worked the polls during local elections. Greg Granger, the brother of her American hosts, Steve and Gilinda Rogers, was running for Williamsburg-James City Clerk of Court. Pavlova compared the two experiences.

“I did not see many children coming to the polls with their parents last year, but this year there are many more children,” Pavlova said. “Last year there was a low turnout, but this year there is a big turnout. Starting at 6 a.m., they started arriving.”

Pavlova also noted that voters seemed better prepared this time, which may have to do with just three races this time compared to a flurry of local races in 1999.

“Last year, people would say to me, ‘Who should I vote for?’” she said. “This year people know who when they arrive at the polls.”

Other notes from the polls:

• The privilege of voting wasn’t lost on Robert Scouse, a veteran who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

“I’ve traveled to many countries and have seen how other people live,” Scouse said. “In America we have to exercise our right to vote, because if we don’t it could be taken away from us.”

Patty Borders echoed the sentiment. “I’m 29 years old, and it is important to exercise the right to vote. I vote in all the elections, and I try to get all my friends between 18 and 30 out to vote. I know some people who will vote for the very first time today, and it is very important.”

• A new law requiring voters to show a photo ID still caught some people off-guard. At D.J. Montague Elementary, as elsewhere, the poll workers were gently asking for ID.
“Arrrgghh!” said one woman in mock disgust. “I left it in the car.”

The poll worker simply smiled, watching the woman return to her car. “That’s happened a lot today.”

• Pat Neary moved to Williamsburg last January from Northern Virginia and voted here for the first time. “It is very different here than in Northern Virginia,” he said. “Up there, you press buttons and draw the curtains around you. It must be because of all those Washington politicians who don’t want any cheating.”

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