Ohio immigrants become citizens in time to vote

Just in time to register to vote, these 81 people became U.S. citizens. DP

By THOMAS J. SHEERAN Associated Press Writer

ohio.com: Eighty-one people took the oath as U.S. citizens on Friday at a courthouse ceremony moved up two weeks so they could register to vote in time for the Nov. 4 presidential election in battleground Ohio.

"I've been waiting for that for five years, to vote," said Danny Oubeid, 23, of suburban North Olmsted, who immigrated from Syria with his parents. "The minute I walk out, I'm going to register."

Following custom, the local elections board sent workers to the naturalization ceremony to register voters. Fifty-nine took advantage of the opportunity, meeting the Monday deadline to register and qualify to vote next month.

About 900,000 immigrants were naturalized in the U.S. in an 11-month period through August, according to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.

The agency doesn't keep track of immediate voter registrations among new U.S. citizens, but most of those taking the oath in Cleveland were determined to participate.

Oubeid, who just finished an English course and plans to study auto mechanics, said voting was important if you want to feel like a participant in democracy. He didn't specify his choice for president.

To Americans who complain about their government, Oubeid said his response is, "If you didn't vote, I don't want to hear it."
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