First-time voters discuss the concerns of recent immigrants

This is The Takeaway. I’m John Hockenberry. Adaora Udoji is live in Atlanta, Georgia, going from precinct to precinct. We’ll hear from her later on in the program.

But joining me now are two very sort of precious commodities here in this American democracy. Laura Miller is a new citizen and a first-time voter from Cross Lanes, West Virginia. Laura, thanks for being with us.

LAURA MILLER:

Thank you for having me.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

And Jacqueline Murray is also a new citizen and first-time U.S. voter in Murray, New York. Jacqueline, thanks for being with us this morning.

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

My pleasure.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

So I understand not only are you voting for the first time but you decided to get your citizenship, Laura, after how many years?

LAURA MILLER:

Twenty-three years.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

So 23 years, you’re living in the United States, you’re just fine. All of a sudden you decide to get your citizenship and vote. Why?

LAURA MILLER:

Well, the last couple of elections definitely I wasn’t very satisfied, and also throughout the time you become more aware of the situation and you keep feeling that you’re left out if you don’t vote.

So I definitely thought, particularly the last [LAUGHS] election, I thought I have to vote next time. So I really worked on it, and so here I am, and I’m ready to go to vote today. [LAUGHS]

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

So, Jacqueline, did you get your idea in 2004 –

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

Did I get my –

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

– idea to become a citizen after so many years?

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

Yeah, yeah, I really felt that it was important to participate in this election, so that was one of my primary drivers for becoming a citizen this year.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

So how long did it take? And did you tell anyone along the way why you were doing it?

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

Yeah, I told a few people. I mean, I ? it took me ? I’ve been living in the States now for almost 30 years, and I’ve, you know, I’ve never felt the desire until this year, because I really feel that this country needs a new direction and I want to participate in that decision-making process.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

So basically your presence in the electorate and Laura’s presence in the electorate is something that is fundamentally different from what was the case in 2004, right?

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

Yes.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

I mean, it could come down to both of you. I mean, you could determine the next president, right?

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

That would be wonderful.

[OVERTALK]

LAURA MILLER:

Well –

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

That would be wonderful.

[LAUGHTER]

That would be ?

[LAUGHTER AND OVERTALK]

Laura’s a little nervous but Jacqueline says that would be great. I’d be happy to do it.

[LAUGHTER]

LAURA MILLER:

No ? I mean, you never know. They say one vote always counts ? counts, so one more is one more. [LAUGHS]

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

What do you think –

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

Exactly.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

If both of you spent three decades, or a little less, in the United States without feeling any need to vote, what changed?

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

I think having the excitement and the new energy that this campaigning has created. I really feel that people are very inspired, and the issues are so important.

And this is, you know, the worst situation that I think the States have been in, in quite a long time, and I think that was just very important to really make a decision and really try to direct some of that change.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

I know –

[OVERTALK]

Go ahead, Laura.

LAURA MILLER:

Yeah, I was just going to say that I am, I’ve been feeling like this is a very special moment in the history of the United States, so it just happens to be that I’m here voting. So –

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

All right. Well, I know the answer for both of you is your home country is the United States, but what was your former home country, Laura?

LAURA MILLER:

Mexico.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

Mexico. And your former home country, Jacqueline?

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

I was born in London, yeah.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

Born in London. Well, new time, new citizens and first-time voters. Thanks so much for joining us. Laura Miller is in Cross Lanes, West Virginia and Jacqueline Murray is in Murray, New York. Thanks –

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

In Manhattan, actually.

JOHN HOCKENBERRY:

Or in Manhattan. It’s all wrong here, what I’m saying.

[LAUGHTER]

Really, thanks to both of you. Good luck.

JACQUELINE MURRAY:

Okay.

[OVERTALK]

Bye.

LAURA MILLER:

Bye-bye. engaged listeners.