When Mable Engeman was born in a logging camp in 1913 in Lane County, Ore., it was seven years before the 19th Amendment was ratified that gave women the constitutional right to vote.
Fast-forward a century later, Engeman has diligently cast ballots ever since she became eligible to vote in 1934.
“I think I voted in just about every year,” she said.
On Tuesday, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and Elections Supervisor Cathie Garber visited Engeman at her adult foster care home to present her with a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers as well as a card signed by elections staff and a certificate honoring her as the county’s oldest and one of its most dedicated voters.
“It ain’t a lot like it used to be,” said Engeman, who moved to Clark County in 2004 to be closer to her daughter, one of her two adult children, and attributes her longevity to “good, simple living.”
Engeman said there were no voting booths around when she cast her first vote for Franklin Delano Roosevelt for president in 1934. She didn’t describe the experience as “exciting,” but rather “different and interesting.”
According to Garber, Engeman has voted in 25 out of the last 33 elections she was eligible to cast a ballot in, giving her a participation rate of 76 percent. The average turnout percentage for Clark County voters over the last two years is 37 percent, according to Garber.
Engeman said it’s important to vote “to have the right people in there to do what we need.”
When asked about any other memorable votes she’s cast, Engeman recalled her ballot for John Kennedy for president. More recently, she said was excited to vote for Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential nominee of a major party.
“I want to thank you so much for being part of democracy,” said Kimsey. “You made a difference.”
“Well, I hope so,” replied Engeman. “It’s been good.”
