As midterm elections approach, Indiana residents of all ages will cast their ballots to vote in the state of Indiana, and 81-year-old James Borgman is no exception.
For Borgman, the operation of casting a ballot has become routine as he has participated for more than 60 years. When he registered as a young voter, he said he felt it was his responsibility as a American citizen.
“You know, I’m just interested in my country as a whole. You know, that was a long time ago,” Borgman said.
Even though Borgman said he has voted for every president since he was 21, he said he was unsure of the process of voting now that he’s in the Silver Birch assisted living facility.
“I have become very much more conservative. You have to remember this, my parents were very strong Democrats and poll workers,” Borgman said. “As I went through school, college and life, even with six children, that kind of stuff, I became more Republican.”
Borgman’s advice for young voters — read the issues and don’t just listen to commercials. He said being in assisted living has given him the chance to educate himself through the newspaper, online and television.
“I looked at issues differently when I got older than I did when I was younger. At the same time, I will say this, I got influenced by my parents a lot when I was younger,” Borgman said. “I just read more, and had more interest in politics the older I got.”
Now, Borgman said he considers the young adults in America when casting a ballot.
“I look more what not it’s going to do to me, but how it’s going to affect you,” Borgman said. “My life is only basically over and I’m not going anywhere, it doesn’t affect me in any way shape or form. No matter what happens.”
Joining Borgam is 59-year-old Sara Hosier who has been a registered voter since she was 18. She began voting after being influenced by her uncle, and now, after gaining voting experience, she said it allows America to be built with better work ethics.
“You can't sit and gripe about things unless you vote. It’s your prerogative and incentive to vote,” Hosier said.
While she said some elderly citizens opt out of voting or may be discouraged by their lack of accessibility to voting, it is important.
“You might be in a wheelchair, but when you got the right mind you can look and see what’s happening,” Hosier said.
Contact Pauleina Brunnemer with comments at pdbrunnemer@bsu.edu or on Twitter @pauleina15.
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