For RIRA's Non-Citizen Voters, A Special Experience with American Democracy

If you wanted to see the mosaic nature of Roosevelt Island in its full glory, you should have been at PS/IS 217 on Election Day. That's when residents who are citizens of countries as far apart on the globe as Brazil and Japan queued up to vote for RIRA officers and on Island self-governance. Italian Michele Falavigna was delighted that non-US citizens could vote. "Given the high percentage of aliens on the Island, it is good to involve them," said Falavigna, who works at the UN and returns to Italy each time he has to vote.

While their level of enthusiasm was equally high, the reasons motivating the "aliens" to exercise their right were varied. Yashiro and Naoko Nagata moved to the Island six months ago and voted so that they could "begin participating in Island politics." Fellow Japanese Takashi and Tomoko Yoshimura have lived here for over five years and voted because the elections would "help make decisions about the governance of the Island."

Albert E. Neyfakh is a refugee from the former Soviet Union who moved to the US in 1992. "I lived in an anti-democratic country all my life, so now I want to participate in the democratic process." Contrary to his experience is that of Sri Lankans' Chandi and Arjuna Kadirgamar, who voted diligently back home as well. "Voter participation in Sri Lanka is over eighty percent, so we are used to a strong political process," said a proud Arjuna. Richard Jolly of Sussex, England, said that he felt "strongly" about being able to vote for people who govern one's community, so he decided to be there.

Rekha and Shanti Prakash are from India, the largest working democracy in the world. Their primary reasons to vote were "to participate in any form of American democracy and have a greater say in the happenings around us."

The prize for translating the desire to participate into actual votes, however, goes to the South Koreans living on the island. Over three dozen came to vote, thanks to the combined efforts of Oak Soon Hong and Chi Kim Hak, who encouraged their countrymen to exercise their right and helped them use the voting machines, which clearly baffled some. "They left their country for better lives, so they should use their vote to obtain and cherish their lives here," declared Hong.

A desire to bring about change on the Island drew many people out. "I want to help improve the quality of life on the Island," said Mira Kurien, who has lived here for the better part of the last decade. Amanda Lorenzetti of Brazil said she came because "choosing who governs us is important." Bertrand Mendis of Sri Lanka pointed out that this election was "crucial," because it provided "an opportunity to do more than just complain." His wife, Myrna, added, "Our voices must be heard so that changes can be affected." A more proactive Katarzyna Edelman of Poland said, "I want to see good changes on the Island. I don't want to deal with Mr. Blue, who doesn't care about Islanders."

The most interesting reason for having come to vote was offered by Sakiusa Rabuka of Fiji. "I was the Supervisor of Elections in Fiji, so was curious to see the American voting machines and the voting process."