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Born before women could vote, this lady celebrates 105th birthday at the polls

Posted at 4:50 PM, Nov 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-08 16:59:35-05

PETERSBURG, Va. – Election Day is a very special day for Elizabeth Roberts who celebrated her 105th birthday Tuesday while voting at the Old Town Train Station in Petersburg.

Roberts was born in Crewe, Virginia in 1911.

Women didn’t receive the right the vote until nine years later when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed in 1920.

Elizabeth Roberts

Elizabeth Roberts

Now, 96 years after that date, a woman is the nominee of a major political party for the first time.

So how important is voting to Roberts?

“It’s very important for me to vote,” she said. Roberts said she first used her right to vote in an election in 1942.

Elizabeth Roberts

Elizabeth Roberts

Roberts has lived in Petersburg for the last 16 years and says she wants to hold elected officials accountable.

“We want better living conditions and we want people who hold office, to do what is right and know what they are doing,”

When asked about her goal for the day, Roberts says “I hope the person I voted for will win the election.”

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