COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — Voting is a precious right for those who are U.S. citizens.
WRBL had the chance to catch up with two first-time voters on Tuesday afternoon — and these weren’t young adults casting their first votes.
Fanica and Val Gherghi have been U.S. citizens for less than two years. The Romanian couple voted at First African Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon.
When we asked Fanica what it felt like, she said “very, very excited. Emotional.”
Fanica and Val become U.S. citizens back in December of 2022. Their daughter, Diana Young, had moved to the states 24 years ago on a tennis scholarship from Columbus State University.
Ten years ago, when she and her wife, Debbie Young, started having children, the grandparents began making frequent trips to Columbus to be a part of their grandchildren’s lives.
Fanica made it clear what today’s vote meant, saying “We are very excited because we have this opportunity to voice our beliefs to help our grandchildren’s future.”
For Diana – who became a U.S. citizen 14 years ago — it’s all about family.