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Presidential race draws out Elmwood Park, River Grove voters
Voting was steadily busy all morning on Tuesday at John Mills School. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: November 9, 2012 8:40AM
ELMWOOD PARK — Moving with a determined pace to avoid the cold misty rain Tuesday, voters made their way to polling places to vote.
In River Grove and Elmwood Park, most people came out to vote for who they believe would best lead the country, President Barack Obama or his Republican challenger Mitt Romney. An American flag waved gently in the cold wind outside of Elmer E. Wolf Senior Citizen Community Center, part of River Grove Village Hall, which served as a polling place on Election Day.
For 19-year-old Krystal DeSoto, this was the first time she’s voted, and the reason for her presidential choice was simple.
“I wanted to come because I want Obama to win because I like him,” she said.
Judy Skolozynski, 50, who owns a business in the village that has been in her family generations, said voting has always been a high priority. She said her mother was always politically active and her father use to be a trustee.
“It’s in our blood,” she said.
She voted for Obama, saying that she has seen things improve under his administration.
“I heard it would be close, so I wanted to come out and vote and make my vote count,” she said.
Bonnie Stacek worked as an election judge at the polling place. She brought a book with her just in case voter turnout slowed down, but said she had little time for reading.
“I believe it’s better than normal,” she said. “It’s been a constant, constant flow.”
William Smith, 73, of River Grove waited outside the polling place patiently for his wife, who had run into an old friend in the parking lot. Smith, an usher at St. Cyprian Catholic Church, said he would vote for Obama.
“I think he’s better than the other guy,” he said. “The other guy is a millionaire.”
In Elmwood Park, the Elmwood Park Public Works building was one of the many polling places in the village. Harry Tamasz was one of the judges there.
“It’s been busy,” he said. “This was as busy just like in 2008. It’s good for us judges instead of just sitting around.”
Lilly Donoghue, 53, who waited outside of the polling place for her sister after voting, said voting should not be taken for granted. “If you don’t vote don’t complain,” she said.
She said some people don’t believe their vote counts, but she doesn’t agree.
“You find a penny in the street and you pick up another,” she said. “Keep picking them up and they add up.”
