Cumberland County residents inducted to Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Two Cumberland County residents were celebrated this week by the Cumberland County Commissioners, the Cumberland County Elections Bureau and other State officials for their outstanding voting records.

Wanda Hunter, Carlisle, and Richard Arnold, Lemoyne, were both inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame for 50 consecutive years of voting.

Hunter, who is 82, said she went to her polls with her grandmother and took her children when she went to vote.

“My ancestors fought for what many of us take for granted, so I didn’t want to give it up,” said Wanda Hunter. “I’ve enjoyed all the years I voted, and to get out to vote means so much to me.”

Arnold, who is 72, began voting in 1971.

“My dad voted, and I learned about voting from him and in my high school civics class,” said he said. “When I turned 19, I began voting, and in 52 years I haven’t missed an election.”

A ceremony was held Tuesday in their honor. Hunter and Arnold also received official recognitions from the Governor’s Office, the Department of State, State Senators Mike Regan and Greg Rothman, and Representative Barb Gleim.

“What an extraordinary example of commitment to the democratic process,” Cumberland County Commissioner Kelly Neiderer said. “Your unwavering dedication to the voting process serves as an inspiration to all of us.”

According to the county, only 546 Cumberland County residents have been inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame to date. Statewide, there have been 24,432 residents who have received the recognition.

To be eligible, Pennsylvanians must vote in every November general election for 50 years.

October 21 is the last day to register before the November 5 election. To register, visit vote.pa.gov/Register.

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