I voted for the first time at 81. I waited until my husband died, and it was more emotional than I expected.

Betty Cartledge got her first taste of voting at the age of 81.

hermosawave/ Getty Images; Courtesy of Wanda Moore

• Betty Cartledge voted for the first time by placing her ballot in the 2024 presidential election.
• The great-great-grandmother had previously been influenced by her late husband, who never voted.
• She'd also felt held back by her illiteracy but said she's proud that her voice is finally being heard.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Betty Cartledge, 81, from Covington, Georgia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was delighted when a worker at my local early voting station gave me a sticker that said, "I secured my vote."

I put it on my coat and felt proud. It was the first time I'd voted in my life, I turn 82 on Sunday.

My husband, William, who died in April at the age of 91, never voted either. We didn't really discuss it during our 64 years of marriage. I'm not exactly sure why he didn't vote himself, but it's not as if he told me I couldn't do so.

I got the idea to vote a couple of months ago after talking with my great-niece and a neighbor about the presidential election in November. "I'd like to vote," I told them, " but I don't know how to read or write."

It seemed intimidating, and I couldn't imagine myself going alone. I didn't want to go into the booth and not know what to do.

The poll worker explained the process

My niece, Wanda, who has voted in every election since she was 18, encouraged me every step of the way.

We drove to the registrar's office two weeks ago to register using my driver's license. Wanda read out the form to me, I signed my name, and we were good to go.

Then, on Wednesday, she took me to the early voting station. I was excited because I didn't even know what one looked like. The poll worker explained the process, and Wanda took me to a booth.

She read out the candidates' names, and I pressed the button I wanted on the screen. It was my choice and my decision, and I didn't tell anyone who I voted for.

I felt more emotional than I thought I would. It was like getting your first date, your first kiss, or being baptized. Something you will never forget.

Wanda took me out for a celebratory lunch, and I wore my sticker. A bunch of my family and friends contacted me to say they're proud of me.

I hope I will inspire others to vote

It's made me feel like an American. I don't particularly follow politics, but they are important. This year, I lost my husband, my rent went up, and the cost of my medicine was raised. I don't have much money. But I figured if I went out there and voted, it might bring about some change.

I hope anyone else like me who can't read and write will do the same. I'm certainly planning to in four years' time.

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