Florida's 5,698 Centenarian Voters Turn Out for Midterms

More than 5,698 voters in Florida are over 100 years old, and they are heading to the polls Tuesday. These registered citizens appear on state records as active participants in the midterm elections.

The group is politically mixed, reflecting the national divide. Some are Republicans, some are Democrats, and others remain independent. Despite their age, they describe the current political climate as bleak and divisive.

Alice Lesko, 111, lives in Palm Springs in South Florida. She mailed her ballot early because signing her name has become difficult. Lesko is a registered Democrat who voted for Franklin D. Roosevelt in the mid-20th century. She views President Donald Trump as different from Roosevelt, saying he prioritizes his family over the public.

Virginia Henderson, 103, lives in Middleburg in Clay County. She is a registered Republican in an area where Trump won 70% of the vote in 2024. Henderson says she approves of the president's efforts despite the division he causes. She compares her current feelings to her disappointment with Richard Nixon during the Watergate era.

Ruth Manger, 103, votes in Bradenton along the Gulf Coast. She is blind and follows news through radio broadcasts late in the evening. Manger votes along Republican Party lines. She advises younger voters to research candidates carefully to find leaders who will help the country and local communities.

Edith Hirsch, 104, is a Democrat in Boynton Beach. She is a Holocaust survivor from Germany who voted early with family members. She describes herself as a fan of former President Joe Biden. Hirsch calls voting the right thing to do for younger generations.

Eugene Martin, 103, lives in Lake Worth Beach. He is a World War II veteran who has voted for both major parties over his lifetime. He mailed his ballot this year without stating his specific preferences. Martin, who is registered as an independent, worries that artificial intelligence and technology are eroding young people's critical thinking skills.

The Tuesday election puts control of Congress at stake. It serves as a test of public opinion on the economy, the war in Iran, and domestic policies like immigration enforcement. These oldest voters say they continue to participate because they believe silence means having no voice in government decisions.

Martin expressed concern about the state of American democracy. He noted that he was born in a democracy and is nearing the end of his life as it changes. He compares the presidency to a military uniform that must be respected regardless of the individual wearing it.