ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Senior citizens come out to vote in larger numbers than all other age groups. Some super seniors have been casting their ballots at an assisted living home in northwest suburban Arlington Heights.
Willard Pingel cast his ballot Friday at a temporary voting site set up in the chapel at Lutheran Home. The World War II Army veteran is going to be 101 later this month and calls voting a privilege.
“You can’t complain if you don’t vote,” Pingel said.“You got a choice, and it’s important to people though, to get their opinions.”
Fellow centenarian Dolores Ozimek had some help from her son with her ballot.
“I cannot see, my vision is very poor, so he has to read it to me then I tell him what I want, and he marks it,” Ozimek told WBBM.
Ernest Templeton had to wait until he was 21 to cast his first ballot, since that was the voting age until the 26th Amendment.
The 100-year-old told WBBM he’s a regular voter but doesn’t discuss politics much.
“They’re minds are made up one way or another, so there’s no point in talking about it because all you’re going to do is argue,” Templeton said.
Staff at the senior living facility said voting helps keep its residents engaged. About 175 are registered to vote.
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